MINNEAPOLIS — With nothing to play for and no need to put stress on a healing finger, the White Sox have opted to shut down shortstop Tim Anderson for the rest of the season, manager Miguel Cairo said before the game Tuesday against the Twins.
Anderson, who had surgery Aug. 11 to repair a torn sagittal band on the middle finger of his left hand, was aiming to return for the final two weeks of the season.
Anderson has been taking ground balls and live batting practice for more than a week, but ‘‘we’re going to shut it down for the rest of the season, and that’s the best thing for him,’’ Cairo said. ‘‘You don’t want him to reinjure the hand. He’s still doing a lot of work and treatment, but we need to get it 100% for next year.’’
Cairo also indicated that right-hander Michael Kopech won’t pitch again this season, which was expected. Kopech landed on the injured list with inflammation in his right shoulder Sept. 17 and didn’t figure to return unless the Sox were in contention in the American League Central. The Guardians clinched the division Sunday.
General manager Rick Hahn said Saturday that Kopech’s shoulder is OK, but he also has pitched a career-high 119‰ innings — going 5-9 with a 3.54 ERA — and dealt with issues in both knees this season. He will have a cyst removed from his right knee during the offseason, Hahn said.
‘‘It’s only nine games, and why push it when it has something to do with your shoulder or anything?’’ Cairo said. ‘‘He did his job for the year. He threw a lot of innings. He did a super job.’’
In Anderson’s case, ‘‘It would have been different if we were in the hunt for the playoffs, of course,’’ Cairo said. ‘‘It’s better to be safe.’’
Anderson is traveling with the Sox on their road trip. He batted .301/.339/.395 with six home runs, 13 stolen bases and 21 RBI in 79 games. He made the All-Star Game for the second consecutive season.
Zavala on concussion IL
Catcher Seby Zavala landed on the seven-day concussion list, retroactive to Monday, and the Sox recalled catcher Carlos Perez from Triple-A Charlotte.
Cairo said there was no incident that caused a concussion, but he indicated Zavala was feeling ‘‘a little bit’’ dizzy after catching Sunday ‘‘and went to the trainer, did all the protocol and all that stuff. We’re better to be safe.
‘‘He finished the game. But it wasn’t a foul ball or anything.’’
Eloy Jimenez, DH
Eloy Jimenez hasn’t played left field since Aug. 26, mainly because of his tender leg in the aftermath of surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right hamstring. Jimenez has struggled defensively in left but has excelled offensively as a designated hitter, a role he doesn’t like.
‘‘He can play [left field] maybe one or two times a week, three times a week, and mix with DH,’’ Cairo said. ‘‘But he’s been doing such a good job as a DH. You want to keep him healthy for the whole season. That’s the best way to put it.’’
