Robert (flu symptoms) to IL 'as a precaution'

The White Sox placed outfielder Luis Robert Jr. on the injured list on Tuesday after he reported flu-like symptoms to the club's medical staff on Monday night. Chicago called up right-hander Alex McRae to replace Robert on the roster.

“As a precaution, we are placing Robert on the IL until we receive results from further testing," senior vice president and general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement. "As was the case earlier this month with Dylan Cease, our hope is that his symptoms resolve quickly and that the testing protocols clear him to return to the active roster soon."

Robert, 23, entered Tuesday hitting .305/.356/.463 with one home run and four stolen bases in 21 games.

Robert last played in Sunday's 8-4 win against the Rangers at Guaranteed Rate Field. He went 0-for-3 and played all nine innings in center field before Chicago’s off-day on Monday. The frigid temperature during the game is believed to have played a role in Robert feeling unwell.

"Playing this Sunday game, it was really cold at the end. [I] just found out about it this morning,” manager Tony La Russa said. “Hopefully it's like with [Dylan] Cease, just a couple of days. I know he's feeling a little better today, so fingers crossed. But he's gotta go through the protocol."

Robert has been a key player for the White Sox as they chase the first-place Royals in the American League Central. Entering Tuesday, Chicago had won six of its last seven games. Robert went 9-for-26 (.346) with one RBI, two stolen bases and four runs during that stretch.

McRae made five appearances in Spring Training for the White Sox, including one start. He logged 8 2/3 innings with a 1.04 ERA and six strikeouts.

Lynn nearing return

Right-hander Lance Lynn could make his return as soon as Saturday in the upcoming series against Cleveland at Guaranteed Rate Field. He landed on the injured list in mid-April with a strained right trapezius.

But the injury seems to be behind him with a bullpen session scheduled for Wednesday as a final tuneup before a start on Saturday. The club's two off-days in the past five days have helped reset the rotation, while also providing Lynn with more time to get back into a rhythm.

"So, what we're gonna do is pitch Dallas [Keuchel] on his regular time with an extra day's rest on Friday,” La Russa said. “When Lance gets back it's an easier adjustment for him, so he's going to throw a bullpen tomorrow and he'll be ready for Saturday.”

Before his IL stint, Lynn posted a 0.92 ERA, a 0.92 WHIP and 27 strikeouts in three games.

Engel progressing

The White Sox have missed Adam Engel, both in the outfield and in the lineup. And they’ll continue to miss him for a bit longer.

The 29-year-old is still rehabbing a right hamstring injury he sustained during a Spring Training game when he made a running grab on a soft flyball to center. The team does not want to rush Engel back until he is fully recovered and the White Sox didn’t provide a timetable for his season debut.

But Engel is making the appropriate strides in the rehab process.

"He has a plan every day, and part of it is the running, and part of it is exercising,” La Russa said. “[It's] getting him some outfield work, as many swings as makes sense. So, get him back, keep him back and that's the priority.”