Charlie Tilson can’t seem to catch a break when it comes to injuries, but the White Sox outfielder is at least happy he caught this injury before it became a serious break.
Before his first spring training with the Sox officially began, the New Trier graduate suffered a stress reaction in his right foot.
Tilson, who had an MRI to diagnose the injury Saturday when the Sox held their first full-squad workout, will be held out of impact activities for 10 days and then re-evaluated. A stress reaction is less serious than a fracture, but it’s still a tough turn of events for a player who was just returning from season-ending hamstring surgery last year.
However, Tilson remained positive Sunday. He called it "a very minor setback," one that likely popped up as he was putting more weight on his right leg while recovering from the left leg injury. He had a stress fracture in his right foot in 2013.
"I still have very little doubt I’ll be able to get back out there and be ready to play," Tilson said. "I’m very confident in myself and still very confident in my body. It was a major repair I had, so something like this doesn’t come to me as too surprising. It’s just good to be aware of, and I’m fortunate enough to have a great training staff to get me back."
Tilson, who is ranked the Sox’s No. 11 prospect by MLB.com, joined the team in the Zach Duke trade with the Cardinals at the trade deadline last season. The Sox called him up immediately, but in his major-league debut he tore his left hamstring while running to make a diving catch in center field the fifth inning.
He rehabbed from the surgery and was hoping to work his way back to game speed early in spring training as he competed to be the Sox’s starting center fielder. General manager Rick Hahn said the first day of camp that Tilson, known for his speed and strong defense, had the "inside track" for the job, if he was healthy.
Photos as the White Sox practice at spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz.
"Assuming Charlie Tilson is 100 percent, we’d all like to see what he can do on a regular basis out in center," Hahn said then.
Tilson, 24, is a career .293 hitter in five minor-league seasons since the Cardinals drafted him in the second round in 2011. He missed the 2012 minor-league season after surgery on his right, non-throwing shoulder.
He said he plans to continue to strengthen his left leg while he’s out.
"Really the recovery process doesn’t stop, and it will definitely give my feet a break," Tilson said. "I’ll take it in stride, and I should be hitting again soon and playing catch."
The injury means Tilson won’t be ready to go by the time Cactus League play opens Saturday. After trading Adam Eaton to the Nationals in December, the Sox have openings for a center fielder and a right fielder.
Sox manager Rick Renteria said he will "open my eyes up to a few more options" in center field with Tilson out.
Peter Bourjos and Leury Garcia are the two most likely options. Sox prospects Adam Engel and Jacob May could also be used there, though Hahn has acknowledged that both could need more development time.
Renteria said Avisail Garcia will be given a shot to "settle into right field," with Willy Garcia and Rymer Liriano also in the mix this spring. Melky Cabrera will be stationed in left field.
ckane@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @ChiTribKane
Caption Charlie Tilson, Rick Renteria on Tilson’s stress reaction in right foot
White Sox prospect Charlie Tilson and manager Rick Renteria react to Tilson’s diagnosis of a stress reaction in his right foot on Feb. 19, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox prospect Charlie Tilson and manager Rick Renteria react to Tilson’s diagnosis of a stress reaction in his right foot on Feb. 19, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Charlie Tilson, Rick Renteria on Tilson’s stress reaction in right foot
White Sox prospect Charlie Tilson and manager Rick Renteria react to Tilson’s diagnosis of a stress reaction in his right foot on Feb. 19, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox prospect Charlie Tilson and manager Rick Renteria react to Tilson’s diagnosis of a stress reaction in his right foot on Feb. 19, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Jose Abreu on White Sox’s first two days of spring training
White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu reacts after the first two days of spring training on Feb. 19, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu reacts after the first two days of spring training on Feb. 19, 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)
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