White Sox put Luis Robert on injured list

Center fielder Luis Robert landed on the injured list Tuesday after reporting flu-like symptoms to the White Sox’ medical staff Monday night.

The Sox are keeping their fingers crossed, hoping Robert’s case turns out like right-hander Dylan Cease’s last week.

Cease was on the IL, also for precautionary reasons, but did not miss a turn in the rotation.

“As a precaution, we are placing Robert on the IL until we receive results from further [coronavirus] testing,” general manager Rick Hahn said. “As was the case with Dylan, our hope is that his symptoms resolve quickly and that the testing protocols clear him to return to the active roster soon.”

Cease landed on the IL on April 14 when he wasn’t feeling well and stayed away from the team for precautionary reasons. He took his turn against the Red Sox on April 17 after passing tests.

“Hopeful it’s like what Cease had, just a couple of days,” manager Tony La Russa said. “He’s feeling a little better [Tuesday], so fingers crossed. But he’s got to go through the protocol.”

Right-hander Alex McRae replaced Robert on the active roster for the game against the Tigers on Tuesday at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Leury Garcia started in Robert’s place. Outfielder Luis Gonzalez was recalled from Schaumburg, filling the roster spot left open after righty Jonathan Stiever was returned to Schaumburg on Monday.

Robert, 23, the 2020 runner-up in American League Rookie of the Year voting and a Gold Glove winner, is batting .305/.356/.463 with one home run, eight doubles, one triple, six RBI and 10 runs scored. He played in the Sox’ first 21 games.

McRae, 28, was with the team April 20 and 21 but didn’t pitch. He made two relief appearances in 2020, allowing one hit and no walks and striking out two in three innings.

Lynn, Keuchel switch

Lance Lynn (trapezius strain) was slated to come off the injured list and face the Indians on Friday, but La Russa said Lynn will pitch Saturday instead, allowing left-hander Dallas Keuchel to pitch Friday on five days of rest rather than six. Lynn will throw a bullpen session Wednesday in preparation for his start.

Leyland’s blessing

La Russa was asked about his discussions with Tigers special assistant Jim Leyland, his third-base coach when he first managed the Sox 40 years ago, when he was considering taking the Sox job.

“His first response was, ‘You’re kidding.’ And a day later he came back and said, ‘You’re serious, and I’m really pleased that you’re doing it,’ ’’ La Russa said. “It meant a lot to me because I value his opinion as much as anybody in baseball. He’s a great friend; he’s a great baseball man. He said, ‘It’s a good move to try it.’ So that encouraged me.”

This and that

Wednesday’s starter Carlos Rodon, who is 3-0 with an ERA of 0.47 in three starts, including a no-hitter against the Indians, hasn’t fared well against the Tigers in his career.

Rodon owns a 2-2 record and 6.82 ERA in six career starts and 33 innings against Detroit.

† Entering Tuesday, Sox hitters ranked 26th in the majors in strikeouts and ninth in walks, drastic improvements from last season, when they were fourth in strikeouts and 24th in walks.