The White Sox reinstated left-hander Garrett Crochet from the injured list on Tuesday. Closer Liam Hendriks’ return, meanwhile, is on hold.
Crochet, who underwent Tommy John surgery last year, made his last major-league appearance in 2021, when he recorded a 2.82 ERA in 54 relief appearances. He had eight strikeouts and allowed five runs in six innings of rehab work at Triple-A Charlotte and Double-A Birmingham before his return.
Until last week, the Sox had anticipated Hendriks’ return at about the same time as Crochet’s. But Hendriks, coming back from Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, reassessed his comeback timeline.
Manager Pedro Grifol said Tuesday that Hendriks has another rehab appearance on Thursday, and his status will be re-evaluated afterward.
“We’ll play it outing by outing,” Grifol said. “It could be that he feels great at that time, it could be another week. There’s no blueprint for this, so we’re going day by day with him.”
A two-time AL Reliever of the Year, Hendriks doesn’t want to pitch below his standards.
“He’s the only one that knows [how he feels],” Grifol said. “He’s the only one that feels his body, his mind.”
‘‘I’m not quite ready,’’ Hendriks told reporters Friday. ‘‘In all honesty, I just don’t want to be a burden upon the team, getting back and then having to be babied a little bit. I want to make sure I’m right before I get fully active and fully back.’’
Crochet said he feels strong and is eager to contribute.
“Command of all pitches started to come back [toward the end of the rehab assignment],” Crochet said. “Shapes of everything is pretty much right where I want it. Just feeling good.”
The team optioned right-hander Nick Padilla to Charlotte. Padilla allowed two earned runs in two innings against the Royals on May 10, his only appearance this season.
Eloy on the run
Eloy Jimenez, who had an appendectomy May 6 in Cincinnati, ran on the field before the game.
The original prognosis was Jimenez would be out 4-6 weeks. But it might not be that long.
“We’ll keep assessing this, see how long he’s out,” Grifol said. “But he’s on a good pace right now.”
Grifol said Jimenez’s legs and body feel good and he’s been cleared for more work. He should begin swinging a bat by the end of the week.
“If he keeps going the way he’s progressing, we’re looking for him to join us sooner rather than later,” Grifol said.
Guardians’ Ramirez on bereavement list
The Guardians put All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez on the bereavement list and recalled infielder Brayan Rocchio from Triple-A Columbus. Ramirez is not expected to rejoin the Guardians until Friday against the Mets.
Ramírez traveled to the Dominican Republic following the death of his grandmother.
“She had a big hand in raising him,” Guardians manager Terry Francona said. “So as much as we miss him, our thoughts and prayers are with him.”
Ramirez is batting .285 with four homers and 22 RBI.
