La Russa addresses White Sox's hustle issues
Near the end of Thursday afternoon's 5-3 loss to the Royals, TV broadcaster Steve Stone had some harsh words for the White Sox.
"It seems to be that hustling is optional," Stone said. "As long as that stays that way, it is going to be very difficult to win some games going forward."
The Sox have been stuck in an endless loop of winning games, losing games and staying right around the .500 mark even though they were big favorites to win the AL Central for the second straight season.
Multiple issues have kept the White Sox from meeting expectations - injuries, a lack of power, below average defensive play, erratic pitching from the rotation and bullpen and poor baserunning.
Failing to hustle had also been a problem, one that manager Tony La Russa addressed Friday before the Sox opened a three-game series against the Tigers.
"I thought last year we were not very good," La Russa said. "I think this year, we went through this period of time when we had at least four guys with leg injuries that were good enough to play, if we didn't push it."
Center fielder Luis Robert is one of them, and he didn't run hard to first base in Thursday's game at Kansas City. On Friday, Robert appeared to injure himself while trying to steal second.
"I know all of a sudden it gets magnified, but I also see Robert in a position where he's taking care of his legs," La Russa said. "That was a routine ball and it looks bad, looks really bad, but you see him on the bases, when he's got a chance, it's hard to say he's not hustling. I watch him in the outfield running balls down. I don't think we're perfect, but I think we're doing well enough."
Andrew Vaughn, Eloy Jimenez and Jose Abreu are the three other players who have had leg issues and aren't being pushed to run hard.
Injury report:
Reliever Joe Kelly, who had to leave Thursday's game against the Royals with lightheadedness after throwing 16 pitches, was getting checked out before Friday's game vs. Detroit and manager Tony La Russa didn't have an update on his condition.
Infielder Leury Garcia missed his third straight game with hip and back soreness but he's expected to play Saturday.