Elvis Andrus has performed nicely in opposition to Cleveland all through his 14-year profession, slashing .342/.409/.518 in 87 video games.
He’s hoping that success continues after signing with the Chicago White Sox.
“That was one of the things I saw when I signed with the team, ‘Ah, we’re going to play in Cleveland,’ ” Andrus mentioned earlier than Friday’s recreation in opposition to the Guardians at Progressive Field. “I was like, ‘OK, that’s not bad, that’s not a bad place to start for me.’ ”
The Sox introduced the signing of the veteran shortstop Friday. He joined the group after the Oakland Athletics launched him Wednesday.
“Very happy to be here,” Andrus mentioned. “An wonderful group of fellows. We’re in rivalry for the playoffs. That’s the place you pray each single yr being on this alternative.
“I want to be in this environment. I want to be competing for the playoffs. Every day counts, meaningful games. I am really happy and pumped up to be here.”
Andrus, 33, slashed .237/.301/.373 with 24 doubles, eight residence runs, 30 RBIs, 41 runs and 7 stolen bases in 106 video games with the A’s this season.
In 21 video games because the All-Star break, Andrus was he was hitting .286 (20-for-70), together with going 3-for-4 with a house run and three runs in opposition to the Sox on July 29 at Guaranteed Rate Field.
“I always love it, (the) second half,” Andrus mentioned. “August and September are the perfect months of the season. And coming right here for playoff rivalry, (it’s) even higher. As a participant, I really like this. I’ve been by means of this a few years in my profession.
“I love being here. I love the group. A lot of quality players here. (I want to) come here and do my job and help as much as I can.”
He has a .270/.326/.369 profession slash line with 87 residence runs and 703 RBIs in 1,904 video games with the Texas Rangers (2009-20) and A’s (2021-22). He made the American League All-Star group in 2010 and 2012.
“We all around here compliment the front office,” Sox supervisor Tony La Russa mentioned. “He’s got a lot of game left. He plays the whole game, still fields well, can run the bases, he has a knack for getting hits against good pitchers. Played in a couple World Series (with Texas). We’re thrilled to get him here.”
Andrus appeared within the postseason 5 instances with the Rangers (2010-12, ‘15-16), batting .266 (46-for-173). He helped the Rangers to back-to-back AL pennants in 2010-11, facing La Russa’s Cardinals within the 2011 World Series.
“It shows he’s been on winning teams and was a big part of them getting a 3-2 lead against us (the Cardinals won in seven),” La Russa mentioned. “But he’s had a really good career, every place he’s been, more recently people talk about the player, the winner, the character that he has. So he’s going to fit right into our culture. We’re lucky to get him.”
To make room for Andrus on the lively roster, the Sox optioned infielder Lenyn Sosa to Triple-A Charlotte.
Andrus was in Friday’s beginning lineup, batting seventh and enjoying shortstop. The signing comes at a time the Sox have been coping with accidents on the place.
All-Star Tim Anderson is on the injured listing with a sagittal band tear on the center finger of his left hand and is predicted to overlook about six weeks. He suffered the harm on a test swing Aug. 6 in opposition to the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Leury García, who had been filling in, went on the 10-day IL on Wednesday with a decrease again pressure.
Andrus and Romy Gonzalez, recalled from Charlotte on Wednesday, are the shortstops at present on the roster.
“Romy is more experienced (than Sosa),” La Russa mentioned. “Sosa’s got to play. And Romy can play the outfield. He missed part of the (minor-league) season with health problems. But he’s healthy now (and) looks good.”
The Sox started the necessary three-game collection trailing the first-place Guardians by 2½ within the AL Central.
“(I’m) really pumped up to start this chapter with the White Sox here in Cleveland and do whatever I can to help the team continue to win,” Andrus mentioned.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com