Chicago White Sox switch-hitting catcher Yasmani Grandal went 4-for-6 with two home runs and eight RBIs in his return Friday from a nearly two month-long stint on the injured list with a left knee injury.
Grandal helped the White Sox rally from an early six-run deficit against the visiting Chicago Cubs with a three-run homer in the third to tie the score. His three-run homer in the eighth sealed a wild 17-13 win.
Grandal suffered a torn tendon in his left knee on a checked swing July 5 against the Minnesota Twins and underwent surgery to repair the tendon a day later.
Manager Tony La Russa said before the game that they would continue to monitor Grandal and communicate with him about how he feels as he sees more action.
"When there's a question, don't push it, don't play him,'' La Russa said. "But he feels really good. Right now, I'm thinking for sure he catches [Saturday] and Sunday.''
Grandal, 32, came into Friday's game hitting .188 with 14 home runs, 38 RBIs and 60 walks in 63 games this season. His .388 on-base percentage this season is his highest since his rookie year and well above his career average of .351.
"I believe he sets a great example about strike zone discipline,'' La Russa said. "When we are at our best, if we swing at balls in the strike zone, the contact we make produces. When we struggle, it's mostly because we're chasing. He'll set a real good example and he'll have a positive effect.''
In a corresponding move, the White Sox optioned catcher Zack Collins to Triple-A Charlotte. Collins, who was selected by Chicago in the first round of the 2016 amateur draft, is hitting .202 with four home runs and 24 RBIs in 72 games this season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
