Tim Anderson returns to White Sox lineup at second base

CHICAGO (AP) — Tim Anderson has returned to the Chicago White Sox lineup at a new position, starting at second base on Friday night against Boston.

Anderson left last weekend’s 4-3 victory at Seattle because of right shoulder soreness. The All-Star shortstop, who made his major league debut in 2016, was limited to one pinch-hitting appearance over the team’s next four games.

Manager Pedro Grifol originally had rookie Zach Remillard at second for the opener of a three-game series against the Red Sox. But he changed his mind after conversations with Anderson and general manager Rick Hahn.

“(Anderson) brought it up to me where I can play second if we need it,” Grifol said. “I asked him how do you feel with it, and he said, ‘I’d like to go over there to get in the lineup. I would like to be a part of this thing.’ We talked about it. Obviously got Rick involved and he’s going to play second base.”

It was Anderson’s first big league appearance at second. But he played the position for the United States during this year’s World Baseball Classic.

“He played high-leverage baseball and played it over there,” Grifol said. “He figures he can do it over here as well. It speaks to his makeup, just that want-to-win and he’s like, ‘You know what, I can do it. Just put me in the lineup, I’ll play second base.’”

Anderson, who turned 30 on Friday, has struggled this year, batting .249 with no homers and 10 RBIs in 52 games. Just like his previous start, he hit second in the order after spending much of his career on top of the lineup.

Chicago (32-44) had dropped eight of 11 heading into the matchup with Boston. It is in fourth place in the mediocre AL Central.

Anderson went on the 10-day injured list after he sprained his left knee on April 10 at Minnesota. He returned on May 2.

“Let me make this clear. Let’s not read into this. He’s our shortstop,” Grifol said. “He’s playing second base tonight to get back, to get in the lineup.”

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Follow Jay Cohen at https://twitter.com/jcohenap

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