White Sox put catcher Yasmani Grandal on IL with back spasms

DETROIT — A day after catcher Yasmani Grandal and manager Tony La Russa said a stint on the injured list was unlikely, Grandal landed on the 10-day IL with lower-back spasms Monday.

Grandal, who left the White Sox’ loss Saturday to the Rangers with tightness in his left hamstring, said the spasms developed overnight in his back, and the discomfort ran down his left leg. He had difficulty walking early Monday but was moving around and feeling better later.

‘‘It ends up being more of a lower-back spasm, and that’s what’s making everything else tight, which is probably the reason why the hamstring pulled,’’ Grandal said.

‘‘We decided it was best to go on the 10-day [IL], just to get everything cleared out. That way, by the time I come back, it’s full-go. We won’t know how long it’s going to take. But if it takes five days, maybe I’m able to go [on a rehab assignment at Triple-A] Charlotte and start getting [at-bats] and catching down there.’’

Burger exits with bruised hand

Designated hitter Jake Burger took a pitch from Tigers starter Rony Garcia off his right hand in the fourth inning and left the game for pinch hitter Seby Zavala in the fifth. X-rays were negative, and he was diagnosed with a bruise.

Burger, who had his eight-game hitting streak snapped, was charged with a strike on the pitch.

Pitching help on the way

Reliever Joe Kelly (strained hamstring) is expected to be activated Tuesday, La Russa said, and right-hander Vince Velasquez (strained groin) probably will come off the IL to start Wednesday. That spot opened when right-hander Lance Lynn returned from his rehab assignment and was moved up one day to start Monday, with Dylan Cease moved up to start Tuesday.

The bullpen was depleted in the Sox’ 12-inning loss Sunday to the Rangers after right-hander Michael Kopech exited with a sore knee after 13 pitches. Closer Liam Hendriks wasn’t certain to be available Monday because of arm stiffness, La Russa said.

Kopech ‘a lot better’

Kopech had fluid drained from behind his right knee, said he felt ‘‘a lot better’’ and is hopeful he will be able to start Sunday against the Astros. He will probably throw a bullpen session Thursday, ‘‘and we’ll decide,’’ La Russa said

There is significant relief that Kopech’s injury wasn’t as bad as first expected. Right-handers Lucas Giolito and Johnny Cueto will start Friday and Saturday in Houston.

Anderson to start rehab assignment

Shortstop Tim Anderson (strained right groin) is scheduled to begin his rehab assignment at Charlotte on Tuesday. La Russa suggested Anderson would be activated when the Sox open their next homestand Monday against the Blue Jays, but he didn’t completely rule out a return this weekend against the Astros.

Burr released

To make room on the 40-man roster for Lynn, the Sox put reliever Ryan Burr on waivers for the purpose of granting his unconditional release.

Donaldson suspension upheld

Major League Baseball upheld Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson’s one-game suspension, a penalty assessed after he made a remark to Anderson about Jackie Robinson that La Russa called racist.

MLB special adviser John McHale upheld the penalty after hearing Donaldson’s appeal Thursday, a person familiar with the discipline told the Associated Press. Donaldson’s fine was cut in half to $5,000, and he will serve the suspension during the Yankees’ series opener Tuesday against the Rays.

Contributing: Associated Press