Robert due back in White Sox lineup Thursday against Texas
Wednesday was another day off for Luis Robert, but the White Sox's center fielder is expected to be back on the field Thursday night at Texas for the first time since July 15.
Robert has been sidelined with blurred vision that Sox general manager Rick Hahn said was likely caused by a virus.
After coming off the injured list Tuesday, Robert has been taking batting practice and doing defensive drills. He's scheduled to be the White Sox's designated hitter Thursday night against the Rangers, play center Friday and take Saturday off.
"Could push him out there (Wednesday), and there was discussion about that," manager Tony La Russa said. "But he gets one more day of work, gets to refresh and then he will DH tomorrow night. A lot of discussions about the right thing to do and no doubt, you put him in the lineup and it looks better.
"But I think when you put everything together, what's best for him is best for us."
Diekman gets to work:
Lucas Giolito wasn't happy about pitching only 5 innings in Tuesday night's start against Kansas City, but his attitude changed.
Acquired in a trade from the Red Sox the day before, Jake Diekman came out of the White Sox's bullpen and had 2 strikeouts during a perfect sixth inning in relief of Giolito.
"Jake's debut for us, a nice 1-2-3 inning," Giolito said. "I went to Tony (La Russa) and was like, 'All right, cool. You made the right call there.'"
Diekman also pitched in Wednesday's game against the Royals and had 2 strikeouts in 1 perfect inning.
The White Sox's lone trade acquisition, Diekman is trying to get back to his 2020 form, when he allowed only 1 earned run over 21⅓ innings for the Athletics.
With Boston this season, the 35-year-old lefty was 5-1 with a 4.23 ERA.
"There's probably four, six outings that I would rather have back," Diekman said. "Take those back and I feel great. Just being super consistent and hitting your spot and missing at the right side of the plate. When I attack, I know what type of pitcher I am."
Diekman ranks among American League leaders with 46 appearances this season and he enjoys being a workhorse.
"My goal is to pitch as much as possible," Diekman said. "I feel like you earn your paycheck that way. If they want to throw me 70 times, then do it."
Remembering Vin:
Sox manager Tony La Russa was in the Athletics' dugout during the 1988 World Series against the Dodgers, and he still remembers Vin Scully's call when a hobbled Kirk Gibson lifted Los Angeles to a Game 1 win with a pinch-hit home run.
"That wasn't good," La Russa said, referring to Gibson's clutch homer, not Scully's work.
On Tuesday night, Scully died at the age of 94.
Like everybody involved in MLB, La Russa was saddened by the news about the legendary broadcaster's passing.
"Very fortunate, around him a lot," La Russa said. "He's such a gentleman, my gosh. In all his greatness, he was so kind to everybody."