Leury Garcia shifted to 45-day IL: ‘It’s a big loss,’ White Sox manager Rick Renteria says

The White Sox’ injury woes took another bad turn Saturday when Leury Garcia was transferred to the 45-day injured list and right-hander Ian Hamilton went on the 10-day IL.

Garcia, who plays all three outfield positions and three infield spots, has a ligament tear in his left thumb that will require surgery, manager Rick Renteria said.

“It’s a big loss for us,” Renteria said, “because he was so flexible and capable of doing so much.”

Garcia, 29, went on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, a day after he injured the thumb making a headfirst slide into first base. He’s hitting .271 with three home runs and eight RBI in 16 games. He will be out until October at the earliest.

Infielder Cheslor Cuthbert’s contract was purchased from Schaumburg.

Hamilton (retroactive to Aug. 12) is on the IL with right shoulder soreness. He had a 4.50 ERA in four innings and four appearances.

The Sox also recalled left-hander Bernardo Flores from Schaumburg to serve as the 29th (extra) man for Saturday’s doubleheader against the Cardinals. Flores, who has no major-league experience, did not pitch and was returned to Schaumburg after the game.

Walking wounded

Nick Madrigal (left shoulder separation) is playing catch and taking ground balls, Renteria said.

• Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) “threw well” in a two-inning simulation Friday and will throw again Monday, Renteria said.

• Aaron Bummer (biceps soreness) is receiving treatment and won’t be rushed back. “He’s one of those guys I know that we as an organization don’t want to rush, but we’d like to have him back as soon as possible.”

• Carlos Rodon (sore shoulder) played catch Saturday, extending his throws to 120 feet.

Foster stays on roll

Rookie right-hander Matt Foster made his second start as an opener in a bullpen game and pitched two perfect innings with two strikeouts, running his scoreless streak to 9‰ innings to begin his career. Opponents are 2-for-30 (.066) against Foster, who has struck out 15 of 32 batters faced.

Robert, Jimenez go deep

Luis Robert hit a 435-foot homer to right-center field against Jake Woodford to break a scoreless tie, and Eloy Jimenez hit an opposite-field homer to right against Genesis Cabrera to break a 1-1 tie in Game 2. Robert has three homers, and Jimenez leads the team with six.

“I know the last couple games, we’ve had our ups and downs,” Jimenez said. “But we still have a really good lineup, and we’re going to keep fighting and winning games.

“This is not [over] yet. We have more games to come.”

Giolito’s woeful first inning

A four-run first inning by the Cardinals in Game 1 set the tone for a bad day. Righty Lucas Giolito said fastball command was the culprit.

“I don’t know if I was trying too hard in the first inning, trying to create, or if the energy level wasn’t where it needed to be,” Giolito said.

Cardinals look sharp

The Cardinals’ sweep probably caught the baseball world by surprise. “It was what we do. We do it together,” manager Mike Shildt said.

The Cardinals didn’t play in 17 days, but it was obvious to Renteria they were active.

“I will say that if they have not done anything in 17 days, I’ll give you something special,” Renteria said. “Buy you a cup of coffee. Everybody finds a way.”