CHICAGO -- Tim Anderson admitted Friday to pushing umpire Tim Timmons during a bench- and bullpen-clearing incident on Monday in Detroit, leading to the White Sox shortstop’s three-game suspension, which he is appealing.

But Anderson explained very candidly how the situation came about during a Friday pregame Zoom.

“Did you see the video? He was pushing me,” Anderson said. “I didn’t realize who he was because he was so close to [me], pushing me.

“What’s your reaction when someone pushes you? To push him off of you. So I pushed him off of me and I realized it was him, but at that point, it’s too late. But, yeah, I pushed him. But he started it. He initiated it. I just pushed him back. I pushed him off of me because he was kind of in my space, a little too close.”

Anderson did not start that game but rushed out in the top of the ninth to support José Abreu after Abreu slid hard into second base and an argument began between him and Detroit’s Niko Goodrum and Alex Lange. Abreu was hit by a Lange pitch just before the incident.

Timmons mentioned the impending playoffs to the White Sox as he tried to restore order, per Anderson.

“So he pushed me, and was like, he was saying, ‘You guys are in the playoffs. You guys are in the playoffs,’” Anderson said. “Obviously, we just got done pushing from the other players, so I pushed him off of me, told him I don’t give a bleep, and I think he was mad about that part that I said, when I said, ‘I don’t give an F.’ And that was it.

“I didn’t realize it was the umpire. Obviously, we all know if I would have seen him, and I knew that’s who it was, obviously, I wouldn’t just be pushing an umpire: He didn’t do anything to me. So, it kind of didn’t make sense. It’s OK. We’re just going to deal with it and move on, but yeah, he definitely initiated it, so of course, I’m going to push him back.”

The video shows Timmons ejecting Anderson after Anderson made contact, which Anderson confirmed on Friday. He wasn't sure how long the appeal process will take, although it won’t interfere with upcoming playoffs.

“I really don’t have any answers to give you guys besides that I pushed him,” Anderson said. “If I could push it off to next year, that’s cool. I guess we’ll see what happens.”

Robert running at full speed
Luis Robert swiped second during a 6-1 victory over the Reds on Wednesday night, marking his sixth stolen base of the season and first since Aug. 16. It was a good sign of the center fielder being back at full strength, with the White Sox restricting base stealing upon his return on Aug. 9 after rehabbing a right hip flexor tear sustained May 2.

“I’m feeling 100 percent of my abilities right now,” Robert said through interpreter Billy Russo. “When I came back, I wasn’t feeling that good. I was playing with some restrictions. But now, I’m doing what I usually do at 100 percent.”

Robert entered Friday’s contest with an MLB-leading .365 average since returning from that torn right hip flexor on Aug. 9 (min. 100 PA), per MLB Network’s Gameday notes. He has hit safely in 34 of 40 games in that span.

“This year, I’ve been more selective at home plate, and I know the pitchers now know I’m not swinging at too many pitches out of the strike zone, and they have to come at me,” Robert said. “I’m ready for the good pitches, and I’ve been able to hit those pitches hard and have good results.”

Wait and see
Carlos Rodón will play catch this weekend, as the White Sox wait to see how the starter’s left shoulder responds to his five-inning, one-hit effort against the Reds on Wednesday.

“Nothing official or definite yet,” Chicago manager Tony La Russa said. “It's more a level of curiosity. Hope for the best. I'd hate to comment one way or the other because there's not enough info yet.”

La Russa also wanted to wait until the end of the weekend to name his Game 1 and Game 2 starters in the American League Division Series against the Astros, although they should be Lance Lynn and Lucas Giolito.

He said it
“The vibe, the atmosphere, on this team is different. It’s better because [of] the youth that we have. We’re playing good baseball.” -- third baseman Yoán Moncada