CLEVELAND — White Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal landed on the 10-day injured list with a hyperextension to his left knee Sunday, and Triple-A catcher Carlos Perez was selected from Charlotte to take his place on the active roster.
Further examination of Yasmani Grandal’s left knee revealed no acute damage to the ligaments, tendons or cartilage around the knee, the Sox said. He is expected to be out 10-14 days.
Grandal is dealing with inflammation caused by the hyperextension and will progress as tolerated. He suffered the injury in the Sox’ 2-0 victory Saturday night attempting to score from second on Elvis Andrus’ single in the seventh inning.
Grandal is batting .203 with three home runs in 74 games. Pérez, 26, is hitting .257/.319/.446 with 17 home runs in 91 games with Charlotte this season.
Perez arrived at Progressive Field Sunday morning before the Sox’ scheduled game against the Guardians.
“I’m so happy,” Perez said. “I’ve been working hard every day trying to get here.”
Seby Zavala assumes the role of No. 1 catcher in Grandal’s absence. A native of Valencia, Venezuela, Pérez has no major-league experience.
“Yes, but he’s a smart guy,” said coach Jerry Narron, who works with catchers. “[Pitching coaches] Ethan [Katz] and Curt [Hassler] have spent a lot of time with, I’ve spent a lot of time with him. We’ll give him a game plan to follow that won’t be too difficult.”
La Russa said Perez, who will wear No. 21, could catch as often as every third day.
“I wouldn’t hesitate to play him,” La Russa said.
The send
Grandal was out by plenty on the play and was hurt trying to avoid a tag from catcher Luke Maile. La Russa defended third base coach Joe McEwing’s send, even though Grandal is one of the slowest runners in the majors, has dealt with leg strength and injury issues this season and there were no outs.
“We all said, ‘Send him,’ ’’ La Russa said. “What happened was he looked back [before rounding third]. So he lost steps and then he made a turn that wasn’t … You know what I mean? I don’t think you can blame Joe.”
La Russa also said the Sox’ woes getting runners in from third factored into McEwing’s decision.
“He’s kicking himself,” La Russa said. “I talked to Joe. He had to send him. That’s just a freak thing that happened.”
Altered rotation
Michael Kopech stayed in rotation to face the Royals for a one-game stop in Kansas City Monday, giving Sunday’s scheduled starter Dylan Cease two extra days rest. Cease opens a three-game series in Baltimore Tuesday, followed by Lucas Giolito and Johnny Cueto. Sunday’s game was called by Major League Baseball.
Relief for Romy
Romy Gonzalez, who was slated to start at second base Sunday, was told he was the emergency catcher Saturday when Grandal was hurt. Gonzalez can play the infield and outfield but said he hasn’t caught, not even in high school.
“I know [reliever Jose] Ruiz caught coming up in the system, I thought it would be him,” Gonzalez said.
Narron teases Ruiz about being the Sox’ emergency catcher.
“Not a chance,” Ruiz said.
The DH
Eloy Jimenez’ tender right knee will prevent him from outfield duty for the time being, La Russa said. Grandal’s absence presents more at-bats for left-handed hitting Gavin Sheets at designated hitter.
Forty-three of Grandal’s 51 hits are singles, and his walk rate (12.4 percent) is down from last season (23.2).
