García, Mendick ready to rise to 2B occasion

DETROIT -- The big blow came Thursday, when the White Sox announced Nick Madrigal had landed on the 60-day IL with a proximal tear of his right hamstring.

On Friday, the big question was how best to replace yet another star lost to injury.

The immediate answer was to promote outfielder Brian Goodwin from Triple-A Charlotte, in hopes that Goodwin’s left-handed bat and versatility -- he can play all three outfield spots -- will allow Chicago some flexibility when it comes to filling Madrigal’s spot on the field.

Veteran Leury García and Danny Mendick comprise phase two of the plan, with the duo expected to split time at second base.

Primarily an outfielder, García has spent seven games at second base this season and 61 in his career. Still, the White Sox longest-tenured player said he’s prepared to do what it takes to bridge the gap until Madrigal’s return.

“[We have] really good players. This team right now, we are just thinking, ‘Win,’” García said. “We have the same goal, the same direction and if we can continue playing together -- pitching, hitting and playing defense -- I think by the end of the day we’re going to be in a good position.”

In order to help fill the hole left by Madrigal’s powerful bat -- he was slashing .305/.349/.425 before his injury -- García will also need to improve upon his season numbers, as he is currently slashing .236/.291/.298. However, he’s steadily heated up after a lukewarm start thanks to extra time logged with hitting coach Frank Menechino. Entering Friday’s series opener, García was hitting .286 with two RBIs, a triple and five walks in his past 10 games.

He’s also hitting .341 (15-for-44) and has 19 RBIs with runners in scoring position this season and is a career .282 hitter against lefty pitching, something that will come in handy as he trades off with Mendick, who’s much better statistically against righties in his career (.276 vs. .182 against lefties).

The other half of the duo, Mendick, is hitting just .190 in 28 games this season as the utilityman fights to find his timing at the plate as well as for playing time on a talented roster. He’s spent time at second, third, shortstop and all three outfield positions this season, hit a grand slam and also, remarkably, tossed one scoreless inning against the Red Sox on April 19.

“[Mendick] has been preparing himself for this every day since we saw him in January,” manager Tony La Russa said. “He's never been not ready, so we're very comfortable that he'll make all the plays and get some big base hits as well.”

Mendick was also a Gold Glove Award finalist at second base in 2020, playing 28 games there that season.

“Defensively, nothing ever changes,” Mendick said. “I try to go out there and make every single play. You take ground balls every single day, and there are certain things you work on. No matter where the ball is hit, I'm going to try to go get it and make a play. That's just the way I've always been. I mean, I love defense, I thoroughly enjoy that when I get out there.

Madrigal was hitting .305 with 21 RBIs and 30 runs scored and leading the team with 61 hits at the time of his injury, which he sustained in the seventh inning of Wednesday’s 6-2 loss to the Blue Jays.

According to general manager Rick Hahn, Madrigal will be out of action for at least six weeks. It hasn’t yet been determined whether the injury will require season-ending surgery or simply rest and rehabilitation, though Chicago is hopeful to learn more in the coming week.

In the meantime, the American League Central leaders are prepared to hold firm.

“To go out there and continue to win when you do lose guys like that, I think it shows the depth of our team, the ability to bounce back from pretty much anything,” Mendick said. “So when you look at when these guys do come back ... we should be rolling.”