White Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito will go on the injured list with an abdominal injury, manager Tony La Russa said on Saturday. La Russa also said that Giolito is expected to miss at least two starts.
On Friday, Giolito departed his Opening Day start against the Tigers after allowing one hit in four innings because of tightness in his left side. Per James Fegan of The Athletic, Giolito described it as "a strange injury that doesn't happen often in baseball." At the time of his exit, the White Sox held a 3-0 lead, but Detroit rallied late for a 5-4 win.
Giolito, 27, has been a standout starter for the White Sox over the last three seasons. In 2021, Giolito pitched to a 3.53 ERA in 178 2/3 innings with 201 strikeouts, strong underlying indicators, and an 11th-place finish in the AL Cy Young vote. His injury is particularly unwelcome given that Chicago is also without ace Lance Lynn, whose recent knee surgery will keep him out until at least the middle of May.
On Saturday, La Russa indicated that right-hander Vince Velasquez will start Tuesday's home opener against the Mariners. Velasquez has substantial experience as a starting pitcher in the majors, but he'd been ticketed for a long-relief role in Chicago this season before this run of injuries in the rotation.
Elsewhere, Sox outfielder A.J. Pollock was forced from Saturday's game in Detroit. He appeared to injure himself while rounding first base following a third-inning single. Pollock was later announced as having right hamstring tightness and undergoing further evaluation. If a roster move winds up being required, then Pollock will join third baseman Yoan Moncada, who's on the IL with an oblique strain. As well, relievers Joe Kelly and Garrett Crochet are also on the IL.
