White Sox lefty Garrett Crochet returns from injured list

The White Sox reinstated left-hander Garrett Crochet from the 10-day injured list Friday and optioned right-hander Alex McRae to Class AAA Charlotte.

The Sox (16-13) open a three-game series against the Royals tonight in Kansas City.

Crochet, 21, landed on the IL on April 29 (retroactive to April 26) with an upper back strain. The Sox’ 2020 first-round draft choice is 0-2 with a 1.00 ERA over nine innings, eight strikeouts and one hold over eight relief appearances.

Crochet hasn’t touched the 100-mph velocity levels he wowed the league with when he made his debut last season, and the revelation of a minor back issue suggested a possible reason why.

“There were times during spring training when he didn’t feel like his delivery was all together,” manager Tony La Russa said last Thursday. “He could get a little cranky but it’s something that has progressed with time. More than anything else it’s precaution [going on the IL] to back off now. We feel confident 10 days from now it will solve it. Just getting his delivery together where it’s nice and smooth.”

McRae, 28, made his season debut Tuesday night at Cincinnati, pitching a scoreless ninth inning with one strikeout in a 9-0 victory.