White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson goes on injured list with groin strain

With shortstop Tim Anderson going on the 10-day injured list with a strained right groin Saturday, the White Sox featured a middle infield with Leury Garcia at shortstop and rookie Nick Madrigal — playing in his second major-league game — at second base against the Royals.

Anderson’s injury also opened the door for rookie center fielder Luis Robert to be elevated to the leadoff spot. Robert, who had batted seventh six times and sixth once in his first seven games, homered to center against right-hander Ronald Bolanos in the second inning to give the Sox a 5-0 lead. He grounded to short his first time up.

Anderson said the strain occurred while moving to his left for a grounder in the Sox’ 3-2 victory Friday.

‘‘It’s nothing,’’ Anderson said. ‘‘It’s mild, I would say. It’s really nothing crazy, just a groin. I don’t see it being too much time [out of action].’’

Anderson led the majors with a .335 average last season and was batting .333/.355/.567 with a homer and four doubles.

Robert first

Robert batted leadoff in his native Cuba and ‘‘was a leadoff [man] last year all season [in the minor leagues], and that’s my spot,’’ he said through an interpreter. ‘‘I feel very comfortable there.’’

Manager Rick Renteria has said Robert, who has blazing speed and home-run power, could bat anywhere from first through fifth and had kept him lower in the order to keep the pressure off him as he gets acclimated to major-league pitching.

‘‘It’s actually an opportunity,’’ Renteria said before the game. ‘‘That window has opened, but this is not a set-in-stone position for him right now. I want to see how he does tonight.’’

Robert homered on a fastball, but he is among the major-league leaders in breaking pitches seen, which hasn’t surprised him.

‘‘I don’t think there’s anything else I need to change,’’ he said. ‘‘You make an adjustment. I definitely was expecting that, and I was prepared for that.’’

Robert said batting lower in the order didn’t bother him.

‘‘He’s an impactful-type person,’’ Renteria said. ‘‘Today’s maybe a nice test run to see how he does. Hopefully he has a nice outing and can take advantage of it.’’

Cuban connection

Robert, third baseman Yoan Moncada, first baseman Jose Abreu and catcher Yasmani Grandal batted first through fourth, the first time four Cuban-born players occupied the first four places in a big-league lineup, according to Elias.

Mercedes promoted

The Sox recalled catcher Yermin Mercedes from their training facility in Schaumburg to take Anderson’s spot on the 30-man roster.

Mercedes, 27, has put up big numbers in the minors and had four homers and nine RBI before spring training was suspended in March. The 5-11, 235-pounder had no previous major-league experience.

‘‘It would take a long time to explain how I feel right now,’’ an emotional Mercedes said. ‘‘I’m excited because I’ve waited a long time, long time.’’

No update on Lopez

Renteria offered no timeline for the return of right-hander Reynaldo Lopez, who went on the IL with inflammation in his pitching shoulder Monday.