Eloy returns from injured list, starts vs. Astros

HOUSTON -- After a layoff that lasted a little more than three weeks, rookie outfielder Eloy Jiménez was back in the White Sox lineup, hitting sixth for the opener in Houston on Monday.

After taking his normal round of batting practice, Jimenez said he wasn't quite at 100 percent, but is confident that the issues that plagued him during his recovery from a high right ankle strain are behind him.

"I just told them, 'I'm ready,'" said Jimenez, who was 0-for-4 Monday. "I'm not at 100 percent, but I’m ready to play, and they said OK."

Jimenez passed every test during his five-game rehab stint with Triple-A Charlotte, including getting his timing back at the plate and running at a normal pace in the outfield. He logged seven hits, including a home run, in 22 at-bats during those five games.

"We wanted to make sure he had no significant change in his gait with his running, to make sure he wasn't favoring it one way or the other," manager Rick Renteria said. "That gave us an indication he felt healthy and strong and pain-free. He worked through everything he needed to."

Jimenez suffered the injury on April 26 while scaling the outfield wall in an attempt to catch a home run ball in a game against the Tigers. His foot got stuck in the wall, leading to the ankle sprain.

At the time of the injury, Jimenez, who entered the season rated by MLB Pipeline as MLB's No. 3 prospect, was hitting .241 (19-for-79) with two doubles, three homers, eight RBIs and six runs scored over 21 games.

The 22-year-old outfielder said he would be able to play his position regularly now that he's back and did not anticipate having to DH as a way to ease back into an everyday role.

"I can play normal," he said. "I'm ready to be back."

After the game, Renteria said he would "possibly" consider DH-ing Jimenez while he still works to get back to full strength. It's more likely, however, Renteria would continue to play Jimenez in the field and work in complete days off, if and when they're needed.

Overall, Renteria said he was pleased with how Jimenez looked in his first game back.

"He didn't look bad after being down a while," he said. "We'll manage how we use him and see where he's at, physically speaking, and then gradually continue to go. Hopefully he feels good, we'll get him another start [Tuesday] and we'll go from there."

To make room for Jimenez on the active roster, the White Sox optioned outfielder Nicky Delmonico to Charlotte following Sunday's game.