Old news: White Sox outfielder Eloy Jimenez still is expected to be out six to eight weeks.
New news: Jimenez had surgery Tuesday to repair a torn hamstring tendon behind his right knee suffered Saturday in Minneapolis.
Good news: It’s the same procedure catcher Yasmani Grandal had last season and right-hander Lance Lynn had earlier this season, so the Sox ‘‘have some track record and are still pretty confident’’ in the original six- to eight-week timetable, barring a setback, general manager Rick Hahn said.
Jimenez’s injury was to a tendon connecting the hamstring to the back of his right knee. The surgery was performed at Rush Oak Brook Surgery Center.
It’s the second surgery in two seasons for Jimenez, who tore a pectoral muscle last spring. It’s also the latest in an onslaught of hamstring injuries to Sox players in the last two seasons and the latest injury to a player running to first base.
‘‘At the very least, there’s been so many that it forces you to look at what you are doing internally, what the players are doing, how you are adjusting for where they are at physically,’’ Hahn said. ‘‘Certainly, there’s an element of bad luck. There’s an element of a unique offseason and a shortened spring and ramp-up schedule [because of the lockout] all 30 teams are dealing with.’’
On Opening Day, Hahn predicted the first six to eight weeks would be ‘‘bumpy’’ health-wise for every team.
The Sox’ injury woes go beyond this season, however. They replaced longtime strength-and-conditioning coordinator Allen Thomas with Goldy Simmons this season.
‘‘I don’t believe any of these injury issues this early should be placed on any individual failing by any individual member or the organization — player, staff or otherwise,’’ Hahn said.
Robert waits
Outfielder Luis Robert (groin) rested one more day after missing the weekend series against the Twins but probably will return to the lineup Wednesday. Manager Tony La Russa had planned to use Robert as the designated hitter, but he opted to give him another day off when the game Wednesday was changed to a day game.
‘‘He’s still feeling a little something in a move or two,’’ La Russa said. ‘‘Just got to be careful.’’
Hendriks’ back
Closer Liam Hendriks, who served up a walk-off home run to Byron Buxton in the Sox’ 6-4, 10-inning loss Sunday to the
Twins, slipped on his spikes in the clubhouse between the ninth and 10th innings in that game and ‘‘tweaked his back,’’ La Russa said.
La Russa didn’t rule out Hendriks on Tuesday, but it seemed unlikely he would pitch.
Moncada, Kelly to Charlotte soon
Third baseman Yoan Moncada (strained oblique) might begin a minor-league rehab stint this weekend at Triple-A Charlotte. Reliever Joe Kelly (biceps nerve) might, too.
Time change for Wednesday
Because of a forecast of cold temperatures Wednesday, the starting time for the game was changed from 6:10 p.m. to 1:10 p.m. Fans don’t need to exchange any game tickets, parking coupons or Stadium Club passes to attend the rescheduled game.
This and that
Right-hander Matt Foster was reinstated from family medical leave and outfielder Adam Haseley was optioned to Charlotte.
• Right-hander Johnny Cueto is expected to make his second start Thursday for Charlotte and likely will make one more before being called up.
