Gregor: Staying healthy is critical in rugged AL Central

The White Sox had very little room for error last season, and even less space for injuries.

So when projected closer Nate Jones went down for the season after only 2 appearances with a hip injury and later Tommy John surgery, the Sox quickly found themselves in bad shape.

The injuries piled up from there, with right fielder Avisail Garcia tearing up his right shoulder in the ninth game of the season and missing four months, ace starter Chris Sale sitting out for a month (April 18-May 21) with a flexor muscle strain in his left arm and new closer Matt Lindstrom going down in late May with an ankle injury and missing three months.

So far this season, the White Sox have been relatively fortunate on the health front.

Sale did miss the entire Cactus League after fracturing his right foot in late February, but he missed only one start in the regular season and was very sharp in his 2015 debut on Sunday, pitching 6 innings against the Twins and allowing 1 run on 5 hits.

Good health is going to be critical in the AL Central this season because the division already stacks up as the best in baseball with Kansas City and Detroit off to flying starts and the Sox bouncing back nicely with three straight wins, including a 4-1 decision at Cleveland Tuesday night, after opening with four straight losses.

The injury bug has already bitten the Indians, and starter Carlos Carrasco is lucky he avoided serious injury after being hit in the face by a Melky Cabrera line drive in the first inning on Tuesday.

According to the Indians, Carrasco does not have a broken jaw or concussion, but he could be out for some time given the force of the impact.

Cleveland played the White Sox without two other key players - left fielder Michael Brantley (back) and catcher Yan Gomes, who might be out until June with a knee injury.

The Royals also got some bad injury news Tuesday. Right fielder Alex Rios, who was off to a great start, is out for at least a month with a broken right hand.

The Tigers' success depends on the sustained health of their two best hitters, Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez.

The duo came out swinging this season, but they both had surgery in the offseason and you have to wonder if Cabrera and Martinez can stay healthy for the long haul.

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