GLENDALE, Ariz. — White Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal remains sidelined with inflammation in his right knee but “was making progress,” manager Tony La Russa said Tuesday.
Grandal twisted the knee in drills last Wednesday. On Sunday, the team said he began ramping up drills but wouldn’t be pushed.
“[Trainer] James [Kruk] gives a report every morning and every afternoon,” La Russa said. “I just think if you set a deadline, he may rush to get there. The smartest thing is just go step by step but he is improving.”
Other Sox catchers in camp are Jonathan Lucroy, Zack Collins, Seby Zavala, Yermin Mercedes and Carlos Perez.
Grandal got off to a slow start in his first spring training as a Sox a year ago because of a calf injury.
In addition to Grandal, outfielder Adam Engel was also sidelined with inflammation in his right ankle. Engel was scratched from the lineup Tuesday.
Here is the White Sox lineup for their game against the Royals in Surprise, Arizona (2:05 p.m.).
Luis Robert cf
Adam Eaton rf
Eloy Jimenez lf
Gavin Sheets 1b
Zack Collins c
Jake Burger 3b
Danny Mendick SS
Matt Reynolds 2b
Kade McClure P
The Sox said the next three games will be seven full innings. Their first three were six, five and six.