White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson throws out Cleveland Guardians’ Jose Ramirez at first as third baseman Yoan Moncada watches Tuesday, May 10, 2022, in Chicago. (AP)

AP Photos

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — For all the focus on a determined vibe and attention to detail in this White Sox camp, in the end the thing that matters most is health.

Priority one is to emerge from spring training and fly to Houston for Opening Day with no significant injuries. Health dwarfs the other priorities.

That always goes for 29 other teams as well, but for the Sox, smitten by injuries in 2022, health ultimately was the thing that pole-axed their hopes of a return trip to the postseason. Lack of focus, energy, leadership and togetherness were issues, too.

But Tim Anderson played in 79 games, Yoan Moncada 104, Eloy Jimenez 84, Yasmani Grandal 99 and Luis Robert 98 because of injuries. Lance Lynn made 21 starts and Michael Kopech 25. Aaron Bummer made 32 relief appearances.

Spring training sets the tone. Moncada strained an oblique on the last day of camp last year, didn’t play till May, and later said he probably rushed back a bit wanting badly to aid the cause. He never got untracked and batted .212 with 12 homers.

Eloy Jimenez tore a pectoral muscle on March 24 two springs ago. Adam Engel tore a hamstring five days earlier.

The Sox hired a new strength and conditioning coordinator, Goldy Simmons, last year and hired a new senior director of sports performance, Geoff Head, this offseason.

“They’re on top of this thing, man,” manager Pedro Grifol said. “More than anywhere I’ve ever been, or seen. They monitor …read more

Source:: Chicago Sun Times