White Sox's Grandal has rehab assignment bumped to Class AAA Charlotte
Out since June 12 with back and leg injuries, veteran White Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal went on a rehab assignment with Class AA Birmingham a week ago and played 3 games at designated hitter.
That was all part of the plan, letting the switch-hitter ease back in at DH before moving to Class AAA Charlotte and getting back behind the plate.
Grandal did join Charlotte Tuesday, and he was in the starting lineup at designated hitter again.
That should change in the coming days as he prepares to rejoin the Sox right after the all-star break.
After initially hurting his lower back, Grandal said a nerve issue caused his left leg to "shut off."
Fearing surgery that likely would have ended his season, Grandal said weeks of rest did the trick and he's anxious to get back with the White Sox.
"I'm just happy to be able to be back on a field," Grandal said. "Hopefully when I come back in the second half we can make a strong run out of this thing and go from there."
Still streaking:
No. 1 White Sox prospect Colson Montgomery hit a solo home run in the first inning for high Class A Winston-Salem Tuesday night.
The 20-year-old shortstop, who was the Sox's first-round draft pick last year out of Southridge High School in Indiana, has reached base safely in 46 straight games, including all 15 with Winston-Salem.
Montgomery was promoted from low Class A Kannapolis on June 24.
Moving up:
The White Sox are still looking to add left-handed power to the lineup, and Tyler Neslony appears to be on the radar.
On Tuesday, the 28-year-old prospect was promoted from Class AA Birmingham to AAA Charlotte.
Neslony put up big numbers at Birmingham, hitting .326/.404/.578 with 11 home runs and 44 RBI in 64 games. The corner outfielder was leading the Southern League with 26 doubles, 40 extra-base hits and 149 total bases.
Last July, the Sox acquired Neslony in a trade with the Braves for cash. Atlanta drafted the 6-foot-1, 210-pounder in the ninth round of the 2016 draft out of Texas Tech.