Hamilton fine with ditching switch-hit duty

CHICAGO -- Even before the 2021 season began, White Sox outfielder Billy Hamilton had thought about giving up switch-hitting.

But his reaction to a recent right oblique strain truly made that change possible. Hamilton only felt pain when swinging left-handed, so in order to get back and help this American League Central-leading team, he’s now all right.

“I'm fine running, fielding. It's not even all swings left-handed. It's certain swings when I extend my hand or extend my arms or get in where I miss a ball, that's when I feel it the most,” said Hamilton, who was reinstated from the 10-day injured list prior to Tuesday's 7-6 win over the Twins at Guaranteed Rate Field.

“I just want to be out there and do what I can to help the team; be out there righty or lefty. It's just not going to be automatic. And it's not like I haven't hit righty in a long time so you're going to make excuses for me.

“It's like, get in the box and battle. Let's go. I'm excited about that. It's something I've been wanting to do the last few years of my career anyway. This is a chance to see what I can do. It's a short period of time and I didn't plan on being in this situation, but it is what it is. I'm going to do what I can to be on the field and help the team.”

Hamilton, 30, entered Tuesday with a .280/.308/.640 slash line this season against left-handed pitchers, to go with two home runs and five RBIs. He has switch-hit since being in professional baseball, but he is ready for the change to help the injury-plagued squad.

“We went into the offseason saying I'm just going to hit right-handed. And the whole time in the offseason, I hit right-handed,” Hamilton said. “Then, toward the end of the offseason, teams that were really interested were like, ‘Hey man, we think you can still switch-hit, we want you to still switch-hit.’

“So I had to turn around and get back going left-handed. But that's just how baseball is. If teams want you to switch-hit, you've got to do what you can to make that team. This is what I've been wanting to do for the last few years, so this is my chance to really do it.”

Robert report

The White Sox issued the following statement on Luis Robert, who has been out of action since May 2 due a torn right hip flexor.

“Robert has been medically cleared to increase his level of baseball activities at the White Sox complex in Glendale, Ariz. This phase of the rehabilitation process is estimated to take approximately four weeks, after which Robert could be cleared for a rehabilitation assignment with a Sox affiliate. There remains no set timetable for Robert’s return to the Major League club.”

With Eloy Jiménez (ruptured left pectoral tendon) already cleared in this increased activity area, two of the White Sox biggest post-Trade Deadline additions should come from within.

Third to first

• Third baseman Yoán Moncada was out of Tuesday’s lineup with a sore throwing shoulder.

“He's had some issues with it, some already during the first half of the season,” manager Tony La Russa said. “He gets treated, he gets exercises. Might he play tomorrow? Maybe, but it would be nice to try to get it where he's not sore. But I don't think there's any issue going on the IL.”

• Members of the 2021 White Sox Amateur City Elite (ACE) collegiate signing class attended Tuesday's game.

He said it

“It’s a long season and he’s out there grinding every single day. So, he’s a warrior. It’s as simple as that. ... He really is a leader of this team. He’s the heartbeat of it. We can all build off the way he goes about his business day in and day out.” -- Reliever Aaron Bummer, on José Abreu.