White Sox place Yasmani Grandal on IL, activate RHP Lance Lynn

A day after Yasmandi Grandal and White Sox manager Tony La Russa said an injured-list stint was unlikely, Grandal landed on the 10-day IL with lower back spasms.

Grandal, who exited Saturday’s loss to the Rangers with left hamstring tightness, said the spasms developed overnight in his lower his lower left back, and the discomfort ran down his left leg. He had difficulty walking early Molnday but was moving around and feeling better in the afternoon.

“It ends up being more of a lower back spasm and that’s what’s making everything else tight, which is probably the reason why the hamstring pulled,” Grandal said Monday.

“We just decided it was best to go on the 10-day just to get everything cleared out and that way by the time I come back, it’s full go. We won’t know how long it’s going to take, but if it takes five days maybe I’m able to go [on a rehab assignment at Triple-A] Charlotte and start getting ABs and catching down there.”

Pitching help on the way

Reliever Joe Kelly (hamstring strain) is expected to be activated Tuesday, La Russa said, and Vince Velasquez (groin) will probably come off the IL to start Wednesday, a spot that opened when Lance Lynn was returned from his rehab assignment and moved up one day to Monday with Dylan Cease moved to Tuesday.

The bullpen was depleted in Sunday’s loss to the Rangers in 11 innings after Michael Kopech exited with a sore knee after 13 pitches. Closer Liam Hendriks was not a sure thing to be available Monday because of arm stiffness, La Russa said.

Kopech “a lot better”

Kopech had fluid drained from behind his right knee Monday, said he felt “a lot better” and is hopeful he will start Sunday night against the Astros. Kopech will probably throw a bullpen Thursday “and we’ll decide,” La Russa said

There is significant relief that Kopech’s injury wasn’t as bad as first expected. Lucas Giolito will start Friday and Johnny Cueto Saturday Houston.

Burger exits game with bruised hand

Designated hitter Jake Burger took a pitch from Tigers starter Rony Garcia off his right hand in the fourth inning and was pinch-hit for by Seby Zavala in the fifth. X-rays were negative. Burger, who was charged with a strike on the pitch, has a bruise and is day to day.

Burger was batting .480/.519/1.120 wit four homers, four doubles and nine RBI during an eight-game hitting streak that was snapped.

Ryan Burr released

To make room on the 40-man roster for Lynn, right-hander Ryan Burr was placed on waivers for the purpose of granting his unconditional release.

Anderson starts rehab assignment tonight

Tim Anderson (strained right groin), is scheduled to begin his injury rehab assignment at Charlotte Tuesday. La Russa suggested Anderson would be activated when the Sox open their next home stand against the Blue Jays Monday but didn’t completely rule out this weekend in Houston.

Donaldson suspension upheld

Major League Baseball upheld Josh Donaldson’s one-game suspension, a penalty assessed after the Yankees third baseman made a remark Anderson about Jackie Robinson that La Russa called racist.

MLB special adviser John McHale upheld the penalty after hearing Donaldson’s appeal on Thursday, a person familiar with the discipline told The Associated Press. Donaldson’s fine was cut in half by McHale to $5,000. Donaldson will serve the penalty during the Yankees’ series opener against Tampa Bay Tuesday.

Contributing: Associated Press