DETROIT — White Sox closer Liam Hendriks is ready to go.
The the two-time All-Star posted on his Instagram “See you soon on the South Side” with a 5.29 date Sunday, an indication he will be reinstated from the injured list after completing his final steps of preparation for his first major league game action this season after undergoing treatment for Non-Hodgin’s lymphoma.
That means Hendriks could make his first appearance of the season as soon as Monday night when the Sox host the Angels at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Hendriks threw live batting practice at Comerica Park on Friday, four days after throwing a live session in Cleveland. He threw 19 pitches to Elvis Andrus, Adam Haseley and Seby Zavala in Detroit. Aside from a ground ball to the third base side of second base by the left-handed hitting Haseley, contact was limited.
“His numbers were really good,” manager Pedro Grifol said. “He ticked up from Cleveland. Really good step in the right direction.”
Hendriks had his last round of chemotherapy April 3. He made six appearances with Triple-A Charlotte, allowing six earned runs in five innings.
“He’s filling up the zone and getting some outs,” Zavala said after facing Hendriks. “The stuff looks good. I think it comes down now to how he feels.
“You talk to him, he says he’s feeling good.”
Giolito: No mechanical tweaks needed
Lucas Giolito threw a bullpen Sunday, two days after one of the worst starts of his career. His seven-walk outing against the Tigers followed eight straight starts in which he went six innings or more.
Giolito’s quick review of video from that start confirmed what he suspected, that he was rushing.
“Nothing super mechanical,” he said. “Just leaking, rushing. The adjustment for that is more like controlling the speed of the game, being focused pitch to pitch. It’s not like I need to make some sort of mechanical change.”
“It’s unfortunate because that stuff is kind of avoidable if you just make the adjustment during the game but I didn’t. It sucks, but move on.”
Giolito’s next start is Tuesday against the Angels at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Burger and second base
Jake Burger continues getting work at second base. When he appears there in a game remains to be seen.
“There’s a possibility we might see him at second base at some point,” Grifol said. “There’s no need to do it right now. But certainly when everybody gets healthy and gets here, I have to find at-bats for guys and that’s when you get creative. But right now we’re good with him at DH.”
Burger, a third baseman who has played first base, too, has played five major league innings at second, and he played some in the minors
“He’s certainly putting the work in,” Grifol said. “We’re past the explatory stage and we are just in the opportunity phase right now. When it presents itself I won’t hesitate to do it.”