Yolmer Sanchez has plenty of fond memories from spending parts of six seasons with the Chicago White Sox from 2014 to 2019.
The infielder is ready for a few more after returning to the organization as a free agent on Aug. 26.
“This was the best option, so that’s why I came back,” Sanchez said Sunday. “It definitely helps you, knowing everybody here. It feels like home. It was an easy decision.”
Sanchez earned an American League Gold Glove at second base last year before being non-tendered following the 2019 season. He signed with the San Francisco Giants in late January and was released Aug. 21.
“I don’t take anything personal,” he said of his time with the Giants. “That’s in the past. Right now, I’m just focusing on helping the team. That’s the only thing that matters.”
Sanchez is 2-for-6 in four games as a reserve since joining the Sox from the Schaumburg training facility Aug. 31. He provides depth for a team missing infielder-outfielder Leury Garcia, who is on the injured list with a sprained left thumb and will be out until around October.
Sanchez contributed Sunday with two doubles and two runs in an 8-2 victory against the Royals in Kansas City, Mo.
“When you have the opportunity when the guys need a day (off), you have to do your best to try to keep that momentum, keep winning games,” he said. “Don’t try to do too much. Don’t miss my pitch.”
Sox manager Rick Renteria sees Sanchez can help in a variety of ways.
“Not only is he a quality glove, he gives you some at-bats,” Renteria said Sunday. “He’s been around, he’s experienced, he knows what he’s doing, he’s not scared. I feel very comfortable plugging him in at any position you put him out on the field.”
Sanchez has taken note of how some of the offseason additions have improved the team.
“When you have more veteran guys, that helps a lot,” he said. “We are playing good. I’ve seen these guys playing at the beginning of the season and the last couple of days, and they play good.”
It has been a smooth transition back to his former team for Sanchez on and off the field. Known for adding entertainment, including giving himself a Gatorade shower, he has joined infielder Danny Mendick on some of the #dancingfordubs social media videos in which the Sox celebrate a win with a short dance routine.
Sanchez is making the most of his opportunity.
“I played with these guys for a long time,” he said. “Their respect, their friendship, the team we built the last couple of years is still the same. We’ve got a lot of new guys that I have to get to know more. Definitely, I know most of the guys here, so that makes me feel comfortable. They are my team. I’m just enjoying (that) we are playing good baseball right now.
“I said it before: I’ve been with the team through bad times, so-so times. But right now, I want to be a part of when this team wins everything. If we continue to play hard, I think we have a pretty good chance to win everything. It will be really special.”
Dallas Keuchel to miss Saturday’s start
Sox pitcher Dallas Keuchel will miss Saturday’s start against the Detroit Tigers as he continues to recover from back soreness. He pitched five scoreless innings Sunday against the Royals but left before the start of the sixth with lower back stiffness.
“Out of an abundance of caution we’re going to skip him and get him ready for the Minnesota series,” Renteria said before Wednesday’s game against the Pirates in Pittsburgh.
The Sox begin a four-game series against the Twins on Monday at Guaranteed Rate Field.
“He actually came into the office (Wednesday), said he was feeling better,” Renteria said, adding Keuchel’s plans for the day included playing catch. “We’ll continue to treat him up and get him ready for his next start after we skip this one.”
Keuchel is second in the American League with a 2.19 ERA. Lucas Giolito will pitch Friday’s series opener; Saturday’s starter is to be determined.
