Cal Baseball: Andrew Vaughn Out With Sore Back - Sox Say They're Unconcerned

Chicago manager: `He's in a good spot. There's no reason to push him through anything.'

Former Cal star Andrew Vaughn’s third spring training with the Chicago White Sox has been stalled by lower back soreness.

Vaughn hasn’t played since a week ago Sunday when he went 0-for-2 as a designated hitter vs. the Angels. But White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said Vaughn has been held out since then primarily as a precaution.

“Andrew’s going to take a few days off,” Grifol told reporters on Saturday. “We’re going to err on the side of caution. He’s had a ton (31) of at-bats He’s played a ton.”

Opening day for the White Sox is a week from Thursday at Houston and Vaughn is expected to be the club’s regular first baseman after spending most of the past two seasons shifting among the corner outfield positions, DH and first base.

With regular first baseman Jose Abreu moving on to Houston as a free agent, Vaughn has been able to return to his natural position. He’s had a strong spring training with a .323/.364/.516 hitting line.

He is 10 for 31 with a double, triple and a home run and has driven in four runs.

But back issues can be tricky, and it’s a bit concerning that Vaughn has needed this time much out of the lineup.

“He’s in a good spot,” Grifol said. “There’s no reason to push him through anything. I’m sure if you asked him right now if he could play, he’d say yeah. But we’re not going to push him through anything right now.

“He’s had a great camp. He feels comfortable at first base. We like where his swing is at. He likes where his swing is at. So we’re good.”

Vaughn, who will turn 25 on April 3, was the Golden Spikes Award winner as the best hitter in college baseball for Cal as a sophomore in 2018, when he hit 23 home runs and batted .402.

He was the third pick of the major league draft in 2019, signing with the White Sox for $7.2 million. His 2020 minor league was aborted by the pandemic, but the club thought enough of him to invite Vaughn to spring training in 2021 and he’s been with a major leaguer ever since.

Vaughn batted 235 with 15 home runs and 48 RBI in 127 games as a rookie and last summer improved his numbers to .271 with 17 homers and 76 RBI in 134 games.

Cover photo of Andrew Vaughn by Mark J. Rebilias, USA Today

Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo