Camila Sosa
Injuries are starting to pile up within the Chicago White Sox, and the most recent is one of the strongest of all: veteran starter Lance Lynn will be out at least four weeks as he undergoes surgery to repair a small tear in the tendon of his right knee. The surgical procedure will take place tomorrow according to sources linked to the team.
Lynn joins the names of Garrett Crochet (Tommy John surgery) and Joe Kelly (biceps strain) not to mention the recent transfer that sent Craig Kimbrel to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for outfielder AJ Pollock last week, leaving the list of available men even shorter for Chicago heading into its opener this Friday, April 8 against the Detroit Tigers. The 34-year-old veteran’s injury occurred during his last Spring Training outing, which he had to leave due to discomfort in his right knee.
The first four weeks are the initial stage in which Lynn will have to be without any type of activity on the mound, so his eventual return would come in an even more distant term, having the end of May as the ideal date for his return if his rehabilitation goes without any hindrance or setbacks. Among the names to replace him in the rotation are Reynaldo López and Vince Velásquez.
How Serious is Lance Lynn’s Absence for the White Sox?
It will be a sensitive loss for Chicago, who is looking to win the American League Central division (with a 93-69 record in 2021), but will likely need to acquire help for its starting rotation thanks to Lynn’s possible extended absence in addition to some doubt about several of its current members: profiled to have an order consisting of Lucas Giolito, Dallas Keuchel, Dylan Cease, and Michael Kopech, the organization is not entirely confident in Keuchel’s performance, while they may monitor Kopech’s innings coming off Tommy John surgery a year and a half ago.
The right-hander had perhaps the best campaign of his 10-year pro career during 2021, with an 11-6 record, 2.69 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 3.32 FIP and 176 strikeouts through 157 innings pitched with the White Sox, finishing with his second All-Star Game selection and third place in the voting for the American League Cy Young. Can the White Sox get off to a solid start to their 2022 campaign even with the absence of one of their best pitchers?
