AJ Pollock set to return to White Sox in center field; Luis Robert might return next week

MINNEAPOLIS — AJ Pollock returned to the White Sox lineup Friday, taking the place of center fielder Luis Robert as the team was set to open a three-game series against the Twins in Minneapolis.

The good news for the Sox is that Luis Robert, who suffered a groin pull in the Sox’ 6-3 loss at Cleveland on Thursday, could avoid the injured list and miss only a few games.

Pollock was reinstated from the injured list after suffering a hamstring strain during the Sox’ opening series against the Tigers.

Robert, who pulled up after running out a ground ball in the eighth inning Thursday, will likely miss the series at Target Field. The Sox are off Monday before opening a homestand Tuesday against the Royals.

“I would think he won’t play these three [in Minnesota] manager Tony La Russa said. “Off Monday. If we can play him Tuesday and not lose him for 10 days, it’s huge.”

“He did the MRI and that’s what we hoped for — it looked minor. He felt a little tug and he stopped, so he didn’t run through it.”

Pollock, acquired from the Dodgers on April 1 in a trade for right-hander Craig Kimbrel, landed on the IL on April 12 (retroactive to April 10) with a strained right hamstring. He got his rehab at-bats at the spring training complex in Glendale, Ariz.

“Center [field] is a little different animal,” said Pollock, who has played all three outfield positions in his career. “I think you’re seeing the whole game better there, but there’s a little more running involved. Just a little bit different, the nuances of each one.”

Foster on family leave list

Right-hander Matt Foster was placed on the family medical leave list, making room on the roster for Pollock. Foster owns a 1.42 ERA with five strikeouts in five relief appearances covering 5 ¹⁄₃ innings. Foster has contributed to a bullpen that has allowed four runs on 12 hits over 23 innings (1.57 ERA) in the Sox’ last five road games through Thursday.

Harrison “thankful”

Josh Harrison (shoulder) continues to get treatment and said he was hopeful of playing Saturday. Harrison said the ‘snow angel’ he did in the outfield grass after an acrobatic tumble over Andrew Vaughn and a running catch in short left field in Cleveland Wednesday was a “sigh of relief, a thank God.”

“I envisioned myself or Vaughn or both of us getting carted off,” he said. “It could have been worse.”

This and that

Yoan Moncada (oblique) worked up a sweat taking a healthy amount of swings in the cage, then fielded ground balls.