The Chicago White Sox received a much-needed boost Tuesday, reinstating center fielder Luis Robert Jr. from the injured list.
The All-Star has been on the IL since April 6 with a right hip flexor strain. He sustained the injury in the ninth inning of the previous night’s game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
His return was one of six roster moves announced ahead of the City Series against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. The Sox also placed outfielders Tommy Pham (left ankle sprain) and Dominic Fletcher (left shoulder strain) on the 10-day IL, recalled Zach DeLoach from Triple-A Charlotte, called up outfielder Duke Ellis from Double-A Birmingham and designated infielder Zach Remillard for assignment.
Robert has only played in seven games this season. He’s 6-for-28 (.214) with two doubles, two home runs and four RBIs.
He went 2-for-20 with one home run, three RBIs and three runs for the Knights after going 1-for-7 with one home run and one RBI in three games with the Arizona Complex League White Sox.
The Sox desperately need some offensive help. They have played chunks of the season without their No. 3 hitter Robert as well as No. 2 hitter Yoán Moncada and cleanup batter Eloy Jiménez. Another regular, left fielder Andrew Benintendi, went on the IL Sunday. And first baseman Andrew Vaughn missed the weekend series against the Milwaukee Brewers while dealing with a sprained finger on his left hand.
The Sox rank last in the majors in several offensive categories, including runs (172), batting average (.214), home runs (43), on-base (.276) and slugging percentage (.331).
They’ve lost a season-high 11 straight entering Tuesday’s game. And at 15-45, the Sox are off to their worst 60-game start in franchise history.
Pham has been one of the more consistent offensive players for the Sox, slashing .280/.331/.402 with seven doubles, three homers, 12 RBIs and 19 runs in 33 games. He suffered the injury sliding into home plate in the eighth inning Sunday at Milwaukee, a play that was followed by words being exchanged and Pham being restrained by teammates.
Fletcher also suffered his injury Sunday, when he crashed into the right-center field wall while taking away a home run in the seventh inning.
Pham’s and Fletcher’s IL stints are retroactive to Monday.
This is DeLoach’s second stint with the Sox. He was first with the team from May 22-24, going 0-for-5 in his first three major-league games.
Ellis, 26, has no major-league experience. He ranks second in minors this season with 34 stolen bases in 35 attempts and is hitting .258 with one homer, 12 RBIs and 24 runs in 39 games with the Barons. He has a career .242/.330/.335 slash line with 142 runs and 117 stolen bases (132 attempts) in 237 games during four minor-league seasons.