Burr off to good start out of White Sox's bullpen

Before entering Game 2 against the Indians Monday night, White Sox relief pitcher Ryan Burr marveled at starter Jimmy Lambert.

"Awesome, man," Burr said. "That kid's worked really, really hard to get back to ... anybody that goes through these injuries, I tip my cap to them. It's not an easy road back and to see him come out and do what he did, he gave us a chance to win."

Lambert has made it back from 2019 Tommy John surgery, and Burr also had the reconstructive elbow procedure two years ago.

After coming up from Class AAA Charlotte when Michael Kopech went on the Bereavement List late last week, Burr made his first relief appearance for the Sox Monday and had 2 strikeouts over 1⅓ scoreless innings.

Before the White Sox split a doubleheader vs. Cleveland, Kopech was moved to the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring.

"It was really cool to get out there, get my feet win again and just attack hitters," Burr said. "I've seen the hard work I've put in the past few years pay off. It really meant a lot to me."

A 27-year-old righty, Burr made 24 relief appearances for the White Sox in 2018-19 and was 1-1 with a 5.52 ERA.

Back again after recovering from Tommy John, he's looking to make more of an impact.

"I think you really learn a lot about yourself in those trying times," Burr said. "It's definitely a struggle to get through those rehab days when you're sitting there rehabbing and watching the team play without you. But it really gives you a chance to reevaluate where you are, not only in baseball but just in life. It gave me a good chance to work on myself, physically and mentally. I feel like I'm in a pretty good spot right now.

"My job is just to pitch when they ask me to. We're right where we want to be at the top of the division so anything I can do to help the team, whether it's going back-to-back or pitching whenever they need me, I'm just here to do my job and help these guys out."