Chicago White Sox general manager Rick Hahn indicated the team would have to make a couple of roster moves before its trip to Toronto.
“Our current active roster is not 100% vaxxed,” Hahn said Saturday. “As a result, two players will likely need to be replaced when we get there.
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“Other teams have had to deal with it on their way in and respect the fact that’s the law of the land up there, and we’ll be compliant.”
The Sox announced the moves Monday, placing starting pitcher Dylan Cease and reliever Kendall Graveman on the restricted list. The Sox also recalled pitcher Kyle Crick from Triple-A Charlotte and placed pitcher Dallas Keuchel on waivers for the purpose of granting his unconditional release.
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The Sox begin a three-game series against the Blue Jays on Tuesday in Toronto.
“The baseball rule, or administrative rule, that applies is that those (unvaccinated) players wind up on the restricted list and are eligible for replacement according to the rules,” Hahn said.
According to an April 25 ESPN article, “The Canadian government isn’t allowing unvaccinated travelers to cross borders — except under special circumstances, such as funerals for family members. As a result, any Major League Baseball player not vaccinated won’t be allowed to travel to Canada.”
“Everybody has got their reasons for what they do or don’t do,” Sox manager Tony La Russa said Saturday. “I don’t begrudge anybody’s decision.”
Cease started Sunday against the Cubs, allowing one unearned run on two hits in seven innings. Graveman is 1-1 with a 2.78 ERA, 19 strikeouts, two saves and 10 holds.
“We obviously want our full roster at any point, whether a guy is unavailable because of these restrictions or because of health issues or injury or whatever,” Hahn said. “It’s certainly nothing you look forward to.
“Overall as an organization from top to bottom, we have done a tremendous job in terms of doing everything in our power to get people vaxxed and get people protected, take care of themselves, take care of their teammates, families and communities. And as an organization as a whole, we can be very proud of that and it set a really good example for others.
“The fact that a couple individuals have exercised their right to make an individual choice, I respect that. And look forward to them rejoining us (Friday) in Tampa.”
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Crick is 1-0 with a 5.14 ERA in eight relief appearances. The Sox designated Keuchel for assignment Saturday.
