(670 The Score) In the aftermath of being placed on the 10-day injured list Friday with a left hamstring strain, White Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito plans to make a few modifications to his mechanics in an effort to stay healthy.
"In 2019 when I came back from the same injury, although it wasn't as bad, I made a conscious effort to be more smooth with my finish,” Giolito said. “That really worked for me, and the ball was really coming out well with my stuff. Over these last couple of years, I let that slide and became a little too aggressive in my finish. I became a little too stiff. So I think that contributed to making this happen.”
Notably, Giolito wants to confer with pitching coach Ethan Katz to iron out a self-described “violent” leg kick he uses in finishing some pitches.
“When my finish gets violent, I am recoiling on the pitch and my leg stiffens out,” Giolito said. “It’s almost like I am falling backwards. I don't want to be there. It’s a bad habit. When I am strong on my front leg, even with a little bend, it allows me to get through the pitch, which leads to more extension going forward. I feel I am more consistent when I am more athletic and stronger through my finish.”
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Giolito exited in the fifth inning of the White Sox’s win against the Pirates on Tuesday after suffering the hamstring injury. After a couple days of evaluation, the White Sox placed him on the injured list retroactive to Wednesday. Giolito wouldn’t put a date on exactly when he expects to return to action, but he believes he could be ready soon after the minimum 10-day stay.
"Luckily this strain is super mild, so I will make a similar adjustment,” Giolito said. “It's not difficult to do. I thought I was doing great and feeling strong and a little thing even happened to me. But going through these injuries at the end of the day only makes us stronger. We learn how to manage our bodies and manage our minds. I think we all will get the rest we need and time we need to get strong.”
With the White Sox holding a big lead in the AL Central, Giolito admitted it was the right move to head to the injured list, even if it wasn’t his preference. Giolito is 9-9 with a 3.69 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 27 starts this season.
“I never like to be on the IL at all,” Giolito said Friday. “If it was toward the end of the year and it was my decision, I probably wouldn't do the IL at all. I would just progress through it. But we are in a spot that we have time on our side. So that was the choice that was made. I am progressing quite nicely and played catch for the second day in a row. The hamstring is feeling pretty good. I am doing all the exercises and rehab work while not pushing it too hard.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.