White Sox’ Dylan Covey exits 5-4 loss with oblique soreness

PHOENIX – Rookie right-hander Dylan Covey left the White Sox game against the Diamondbacks Tuesday with left oblique soreness during the third inning of the the Sox 5-4 loss and will be re-evaluated Wednesday, the team said.

The Sox trailed 4-3 at the time. After David Peralta grounded out leading off the third, Covey motioned for catcher Kevan Smith. After the two conferred on the mound, trainer Herm Schneider and manager Rick Renteria went to mound, and the 25-year-old right-hander walked off with Schneider.

Chris Beck, Gregory Infante, David Holmberg and Tommy Kahnle combined to pitch 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball in relief.

A Rule 5 Draft choice in the offseason, Covey (0-4) has struggled in his eight starts. He gave up four runs on five hits in 2 1/3 innings Tuesday, including homers to Jake Lamb and Chris Hermann, raising his ERA to 8.12.

If Covey goes on the disabled list, he will join pitches Carlos Rodon, James Shields, Nate Jones, Jake Petricka and Zach Putnam.

“We’ll check it tomorrow, hopefully nothing that is too lingering,” Renteria said.100 for Abreu

Jose Abreu hit his 100^th career homer, a solo shot in the eighth against Jorge De La Rosa, and Melky Cabrera and Todd Frazier homered against D-backs starter Patrick Corbin, stretching the Sox streak to nine games (and 12 of the last 13) with at least one homer. But the Sox (20-24) fell to 3-6 on their 10-game Western trip which ends Wednesday afternoon.

The milestone had special meaning for the Cuban first baseman.

“I want to give thanks to the White Sox organization because they were the ones who gave me the opportunity to play and reach this milestone,” Abreu said through interpreter Billy Russo. “It’s something really special for me. It’s something to really appreciate. I’m very thankful to all the people who have helped me to reach this milestone. It’s not something I did by myself.”

“Beautiful. That’s pretty cool,” Renteria said of the Abreu homer, which came in his fourth season.

Avisail Garcia fighting flu

The Sox’ best offensive performer, Avisail Garcia, was an early scratch from the lineup with flu-like symptoms. Garcia pinch hit in the eighth inning with runners on second and third and one out and the Sox trailing 5-4, but was intentionally walked to load the bases.

J.J. Hoover then struck out pinch-hitter Omar Narvaez and Yolmer Sanchez, who had gone into the game in right field on a double switch. It was the first outfield appearance of Sanchez’ career, who immediately made a play on Lamb’s routine fly ball.

Anderson struggles with the glove

The Sox played an error-free game after Tim Anderson made his 10^th error Monday, this one on a throw to home, a trend that has some watching the White Sox’ highly regarded second-year shortstop with added scrutiny.

Manager Rick Renteria, for one, is downplaying the number of errors, saying Tuesday Anderson’s issues are “very correctable.’’

“A lot of the … throwing errors have to do with the stability of his feet,’’ Renteria said Tuesday. “He’s a little flat-flooted. We saw him the second half of last year with a little more consistent ability to finish the play, especially moving his feet.

“Very correctable.’’

Putnam throws off mound; Shields next

Right-hander Zack Putnam threw off a mound for the first time since going on the disabled list with elbow inflammation. James Shields (lat) is throwing off a mound Wednesday for the first time since going on the DL.

“I’m not going to say it was fantastic and it feels brand new, but it certainly doesn’t feel bad,’’ Putnam said. “So no setbacks. We are going to continue to build.’’

A Saladino sighting

Tyler Saladino (1-for-5) was in the starting lineup, at second base, for the first time since last Tuesday against the Angels. Saladino has rested through some minor back soreness, Renteria said.

Paulie sighting

Paul Konerko was a visitor on the field before the game.