White Sox readying for Robert's return

Luis Robert was scheduled to play a full game for Class AAA Charlotte Saturday night, very possibly the final one on his rehab assignment.

The White Sox's dynamic center fielder tore his right hip flexor running to first base during a May 2 game vs. the Indians at Guaranteed Rate Field.

He reported to Class A Winston-Salem on July 22 and moved up to Charlotte five days later.

It's likely the 24-year-old Robert is back in the Sox's lineup Monday night at Minnesota.

"All indications are he'll be with us soon," manager Tony La Russa said. "You just need to define what soon means. I'm thinking sometime, I just don't know, next week."

When Robert does return, the White Sox are going to have a multitude of outfielders, including Eloy Jimenez, Adam Engel, Andrew Vaughn, Leury Garcia, Brian Goodwin, Gavin Sheets and Jake Lamb. Billy Hamilton (oblique) is on the injured list.

"Unfortunately, a lot of times you speculate about the problem and then something happens," La Russa said. "But it's more fun to think about having too many than not enough."