Brett Lawrie spent months trying to figure out what was causing the leg problems that put him out of action after July 21 for the rest of the season.
The mystery took so long to solve the White Sox second baseman even cut out sugar from his diet to see if that would help.
Finally, he decided it has to be the shoes — or more specifically, the orthotics in his shoes.
"I was put into orthotics for the first time in 26 years, and it definitely threw me through a loop," Lawrie said. "It was the worst time of my life to be honest with you. Moving forward from here, it’s about getting back to my flat feet and stabilizing that."
Lawrie said he first started the use of orthotics because he felt back instability while working out last offseason. But he said the inserts changed the way he moved, and that caused a ripple effect of issues in his body.
The Sox initially announced his issue as a left hamstring injury and then a knee injury.
"(The orthotics) took me from my flat feet and pushed me to everything lateral, and that’s not how I move," Lawrie said. "I’m supposed to use my calves and legs, and if it puts me on the outside it stretches the Achilles, all the way up the chain so things aren’t working how they are supposed to. When stuff starts to stretch, it puts stress on areas it’s not supposed to. Then you compensate, and once that happens you’re waiting for the bomb to go off."
Photos as the White Sox practice at spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz.
Lawrie said he was finally the one to figure out the problem and his body has felt better since he took the orthotics out. He has done acupuncture and deep tissue treatments to try to get his body back on track.
Now, after signing a one-year, $3.5 million contract to avoid arbitration in December, he’s back at camp to try to win back his starting job at second base. He will be in competition for an infield spot with Tyler Saladino, Carlos Sanchez and top prospect Yoan Moncada.
Lawrie hit .248 with 22 doubles, 12 home runs, 109 strikeouts and a .310 on-base percentage in 94 games last season, his sixth in the majors. He hopes to bring back his bolt of energy while also putting together a fully healthy season.
"It’s getting better," Lawrie said. "It’s definitely in a position where I can be on the field and help my team."
First meeting: Sox manager Rick Renteria had a full-squad meeting before the first workout of spring. He said he tried to connect with the new position players and allowed the veterans to chime in.
"It was just basically trying to establish that we’re going to play the game a certain way," Renteria said.
Caption Yoan Moncada talks goals for 2017, takes batting practice
White Sox prospect Yoan Moncada discusses his goals for the 2017 season and takes batting practice on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox prospect Yoan Moncada discusses his goals for the 2017 season and takes batting practice on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Yoan Moncada talks goals for 2017, takes batting practice
White Sox prospect Yoan Moncada discusses his goals for the 2017 season and takes batting practice on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox prospect Yoan Moncada discusses his goals for the 2017 season and takes batting practice on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption White Sox infielder Brett Lawrie on last year’s injuries
White Sox infielder Brett Lawrie on figuring out what caused his injuries last year. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox infielder Brett Lawrie on figuring out what caused his injuries last year. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption White Sox catchers play joke on pitcher James Shields
White Sox catchers play a joke on pitcher James Shields on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox catchers play a joke on pitcher James Shields on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Todd Frazier on the ‘refueling’ the White Sox
White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier on the "refueling" team at spring training on Feb. 17, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier on the “refueling” team at spring training on Feb. 17, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Carlos Rodon, Rick Renteria on Rodon’s separate spring training work
White Sox pitcher Carlos Rodon and manager Rick Renteria discuss Rodon’s separate work at spring training on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox pitcher Carlos Rodon and manager Rick Renteria discuss Rodon’s separate work at spring training on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
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