Beckham playing through injury, and it shows
Gordon Beckham respects the game of baseball, and an old-school outlook prohibits the White Sox’ second baseman from making excuses.
So, when I asked Beckham how he was feeling after Wednesday’s loss to the Twins, the response was predictable.
“I’ve got some ailments, but everybody does at this point,” Beckham said.
OK.
Beckham didn’t play against Minnesota Wednesday, and that’s probably a good thing.
In Tuesday’s over the Twins at U.S. Cellular Field, Beckham was 1-for-4 and he made an error on a routine throw to first base. In Monday’s win over the Twins, Beckham was 1-for-3 and he made another error on a throw to first he could usually make with his eyes closed.
Beckham still wasn’t biting.
“There have been some times where I felt good,” he said. “Yeah. There have just been some nagging things every once in a while. For the most part, I’ve felt OK. I’ve felt good enough to play.”
In reality, Beckham’s been playing with a strained right quad for over a month, and the injury has affected his performance at the plate and in the field.
His batting average was a robust .313 on Aug. 16, but a 14-for-97 slide over his last 26 games has dropped Beckham down to .264. He’s also made 12 errors on the season after committing seven last year.
“My quad’s been bothering me, but my quad doesn’t hit a baseball,” Beckham said. “It’s bothered me a little bit.”
In reality, again, Beckham has already been told to basically stay off his feet and rest his right leg for most of October.
Injuries are a big part of the game, and they have hit Beckham hard this season. He fractured his left hamate bone on April 9 and was on the disabled list for nearly two months. Another injury to his left wrist knocked the 27-year-old infielder out of the lineup for a week after the all-star break.
“He’s dealt with a lot, injury-wise and the adversity of getting through it,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. “It’s not a wasted season, but he started off pretty good then got hurt. He’s had a few things here and there that have sidetracked him. You see better things from him if he can stay healthy.”
In the small window where his left wrist and right quad were both functional, Beckham hit the ball with authority and showed why he was the No. 8 overall in the 2008 amateur draft.
Joining the Sox in ’09 after playing just 59 minor-league games, Beckham batted .270 with 14 home runs and 63 RBI in 103 games and looked like a future superstar.
But over the next three seasons, Beckham batted .252, .230 and .234 and averaged 11 homers and 51 RBI. This year, he’s batting .264 with 4 home runs and 22 RBI in 94 games.
“I’ve moved forward from where I was last year,” Beckham said. “I did some good things with two less months. The season for me personally, it’s definitely been better than I have had, so it’s a step in the right direction. There’s still work to be done and I’m still figuring it out, but I feel OK about it. Not great, not bad.”
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Scouting report
White Sox vs. Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park
TV: WCIU Friday; Comcast SportsNet Saturday and Sunday
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups: The White Sox Andre Rienzo (2-2) vs. Max Scherzer (19-3) Friday at 6:05 p.m.; Chris Sale (11-13) vs. Rick Porcello (13-8) Saturday at 6:05 p.m.; Erik Johnson (1-2) vs. Anibal Sanchez (14-7) Sunday at 12:05 p.m.
At a glance: The Tigers have won seven of nine and are closing in on their third straight AL Central title. The White Sox are 6-10 vs. Detroit this season (2-4 at Comerica Park). New father Avisail Garcia is expected back after missing the past four games. The Sox outfielder is batting .347 (17-for-49) with a home run and 7 RBI over his last 13 games. Catcher Josh Phegley is batting .375 (9-for-24) over his last nine games.
Next: Toronto Blue Jays, Monday at U.S. Cellular Field
Scot Gregor