Better health a huge key for White Sox in 2020
In a rather fitting trend, the White Sox came out of their three-game series against the Twins and reached Thursday's off day with two more injuries.
Ace starter Lucas Giolito is done for the year with a lat injury diagnosed as a mild strain, and the 25-year-old righty is expected to be 100 percent when spring training starts. Ineffective right-hander Dylan Covey has been shut down with shoulder soreness.
Overcoming injuries is a must for good teams - the Yankees have had 30 players go on the IL this season and are on the verge of clinching the AL East - but the Sox are not yet in that class.
The White Sox are heading in the right direction, and they should be much better with improved health. Here is a look at where some key players and prospects stand in the recovery process:
Michael Kopech
It's been a full year since the hard-throwing righty had Tommy John surgery, and Kopech has been throwing bullpens at the Sox's spring training complex in Arizona.
The big question is, will Kopech be in the major league rotation when next season opens? Or will he pitch for Class AAA Charlotte and work his way back?
Stay tuned.
Carlos Rodon
The left-hander had Tommy John surgery in May, and he is scheduled to start a throwing program in October.
Rodon was on the mound for the Sox on Opening Day this season, and the left-hander is determined to stay in the rotation when he returns around the all-star break next year.
Considering he also had shoulder surgery in 2017, Rodon is probably better suited for bullpen duty when he comes back.
Micker Adolfo
Initially expected to be done for the season after having his second elbow surgery in as many years in May, Adolfo made a promising recovery and played 13 games with the AZL White Sox to finish the regular season.
The 23-year-old outfielder/DH is now playing in the Arizona Fall League, and Adolfo homered in the Glendale Desert Dogs' first game Wednesday.
Jake Burger
He's looking like a wasted first-round draft pick, but it's not due to performance.
Selected No. 11 overall in 2017, Burger was sidelined all of last year after twice rupturing his left Achilles tendon.
A bruised left heel kept the third baseman out all of this season. Burger is currently in Arizona at the Sox's Instructional League.
"It's tough to really mark his participation level, but he is feeling good," said director of player development Chris Getz. "We feel optimistic about things at this point."
Dane Dunning
He's almost seven months past Tommy John surgery, and the hope is Dunning can pitch most of next season and regain his status as a top pitching prospect.
Joining Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez in the 2016 trade that sent Adam Eaton to the Nationals, Dunning was a combined 6-3 with a 2.71 ERA in 15 starts with high Class A Winston-Salem and AA Birmingham last year.