The moments before the White Sox’ season opener Friday were emotional for shortstop Tim Anderson.
‘‘I tried not to shed too many tears because we are going through something where the world needs to change,’’ Anderson said Saturday. ‘‘But, you know, it speaks a lot of the guys that were right there in my corner. I am the only Black guy, so it was only right that I had to show my love. I had to support.’’
In support of Black Lives Matter, Anderson, first baseman Jose Abreu, designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion, right-hander Lucas Giolito, left-fielder Eloy Jimenez, center fielder Luis Robert and coaches Joe McEwing and Daryl Boston took a knee during the national anthem. Manager Rick Renteria and third baseman Yoan Moncada put a hand on Anderson’s shoulders, and Renteria and reliever Jace Fry went to one knee before the anthem.
Anderson appreciated the support and said Abreu approached him before the game and told him he was inhis corner.
‘‘We are all brothers and we all love each other, and I think it showed,’’ Anderson said. ‘‘They supported me through it all.’’
Anderson, who praised Major League Baseball’s response to the moment, said he won’t continue to kneel.
‘‘I feel like [Friday] was definitely big enough to actually spread the love that is needed,’’ Anderson said.
Goodbye, Fulmer
After being designated for assignment Thursday, right-hander Carson Fulmer was claimed by the Tigers. The Sox had hoped Fulmer would make it through waivers and remain in the organization, but that was not the case.
‘‘It’s unfortunate, obviously, because . . . Carson is a tremendous kid, an extremely hard worker,’’ general manager Rick Hahn said Thursday. ‘‘He’s filled — or attempted to fill — a variety of different roles for us over the years with varying degrees of success.’’
Fulmer, whom the Sox drafted eighth overall in 2015, was 6-9 with a 6.56 ERA in 51 games for them.
A Grandal day off
Catcher Yasmani Grandal didn’t play. Renteria said he wanted to get backup James McCann into the lineup and recognized Saturday was a good chance to get Grandal a breather.
The decision, Renteria said, gives him an opportunity to use Grandal on several consecutive days as the season ramps up.
‘‘I know he wants to be in there,’’ Renteria said. ‘‘I want to keep him fresh, and the opportunity for me to just give him [a rest] after we’ve just come off of this grind of the preparation to get everybody ready, today’s a perfect opportunity.’’
Debuting
Right-hander Codi Heuer made his major-league debut Friday by throwing a scoreless ninth inning. Though his friends and family couldn’t be there, Heuer still shared moments with those closest to him, including an emotional voicemail from his dad.
‘‘He said: ‘That was awesome to watch you play. It’s such a long road to get here and a lot of hard work. You deserve it,’ ’’ Heuer said. ‘‘It means a lot, especially coming from my old man. I wouldn’t be here without him, like I said. So that was nice.’’
Right-hander Jimmy Lambert made his first big-league appearance Saturday, pitching the ninth to finish the game.
