A White Sox pitcher was added to the American League roster for the All-Star Game as a replacement Sunday, but it wasn’t a deserving Dylan Cease. Closer Liam Hendriks got the nod, despite missing three weeks with a strained flexor in his forearm.
Hendriks, who will join teammate Tim Anderson in Los Angeles, has a 2.35 ERA and 18 saves this season. He was an All-Star in 2019 with the Athletics and last season with the Sox.
‘‘I’m excited, obviously,’’ Hendriks said. ‘‘It’s such an honor to go to events like this and go again. I’m hoping to go out there and soak everything up.’’
When the teams initially were announced, Cease was thought to be the most overlooked pitcher on the Sox’ staff. But Cease, who pitched seven innings of one-hit ball Sunday against the Twins, would not have been available to pitch Tuesday.
‘‘His numbers and what he’s done [are deserving],’’ Hendriks said. ‘‘And what he’s meant to this team is unrivaled. It’s disappointing for him, but it’s hopefully something to use as fuel to the fire in the second half and be even better.’’
Hendriks is the first Sox reliever since closer Bobby Jenks in 2006-07 to make back-to-back All-Star teams.
He is tied for fourth in the AL in saves despite the aforementioned injury. He has made 15 consecutive scoreless appearances, during which he has allowed four hits and three walks and struck out 22 in 15⅓ innings. He has retired the last 21 batters he has faced.
‘‘The big moments don’t shake him,’’ bullpen coach Curt Hasler said of Hendriks. ‘‘He relishes those; he wants those big moments. The bigger, the better for him. Those things separate him from a lot of people. He has the mentality of, ‘I’m the guy who’s going to get this thing done.’ ’’
Anderson will be the AL’s starting shortstop.
Sox go local for first-round pick in draft
The Sox selected Oswego East left-hander Noah Schultz with their first-round pick (26th overall) in the MLB Draft in Los Angeles. MLB.com ranked Schultz as the No. 49 prospect in the draft.
Schultz, a 6-9 Vanderbilt recruit, has a fastball in the 91 to 93 mph range and a slider that is considered his best pitch. He is the tallest player in the draft.
Schultz missed much of his senior season with mononucleosis. Against college hitters in the Prospect League, he posted a 0.93 ERA with 37 strikeouts and seven walks in 19⅓ innings.
Schultz is the first high school pitcher the Sox have taken in the first round since Kris Honel of Providence in 2001.
No progress for Robert
Center fielder Luis Robert felt no progress with the light-headedness that forced him to leave the game Friday and sit out Saturday and Sunday.
‘‘On hold until he gets the checkup [Monday in Chicago],’’ manager Tony La Russa said. “We’ll see. Fingers crossed, eyes crossed, legs crossed.’’
Robert began feeling light-headed early in the game Friday. There was no incident or collision of any sort that preceded it.
‘‘Let the experts look at him,’’ La Russa said. ‘‘It’s important. Hope for the best.’’
