Sox expect Lynn to miss just one start while on injured list originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The White Sox don't expect Lance Lynn to be on the shelf long.
Lynn, arguably the team's most important offseason acquisition, went on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a strained trapezius. The team was confident that day that he'd miss just one start, and that confidence remained after Lynn was evaluated further.
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"The scan was positive, and we fully expect that by the time the 10 days are up ... he'll take the ball," White Sox manager Tony La Russa said prior to the team's game Tuesday night in Cleveland.
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Lynn's placement on the IL was retroactive to April 17, meaning the earliest he could make his next start is the April 27 game against the Detroit Tigers, the start of the second series of a three-series home stand on the South Side. Two off days between now and then help the White Sox avoid the need for too many fill-ins in the rotation and could also make for extended periods of rest for the rest of the starting staff.
The White Sox will need a replacement for Lynn on Wednesday night in Cleveland. It could be a bullpen day, or the White Sox could choose to bring up a spot starter from the minor leagues. La Russa said Tuesday that the team will wait and see how the first of the two-game set plays out before making a final decision on who gets the ball.
Lynn has been great for the White Sox so far this season, the owner of a 0.92 ERA and the team leader with 27 strikeouts in his three starts. He dazzled in the home opener, throwing a complete-game shutout against the Kansas City Royals. He was strong in his most recent start last week against the Cleveland Indians, the only damage he allowed a two-run homer to perennial MVP candidate José Ramírez.
Being without Lynn for any stretch of time is obviously less than ideal for the White Sox, but the South Side starting staff has been very good recently. A stretch of strong outings, highlighted by Carlos Rodón's no-hitter, was snapped Monday when Lucas Giolito was shelled by the Boston Red Sox. Lynn, who has been exceptionally durable in recent seasons, missing just one start, though, is relatively good news.
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