Notes: Moncada's arm sore, but ready for 162

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Yoán Moncada’s throwing program is being monitored due to early Spring Training soreness, although it’s nothing to be concerned about, according to the team.

This small physical issue comes after a 2020 season where Moncada tested positive for COVID-19 during the Summer Camp intake process and never really felt truly healthy despite playing 52 games. The 25-year-old third baseman, who produced Most Valuable Player-caliber numbers in ’19 (.315/.367/.548), hit .225 with a .705 OPS last season.

“The hardest and most difficult moment to handle the virus was after the third week when I was playing,” said Moncada through interpreter Billy Russo. “That was when I really started feeling exhausted. That was the time when I really struggled to fight the virus.

“It was very, very difficult for me to keep playing because I wasn't feeling like myself. I knew that I wasn't 100 percent, but I had to be there, I needed to be playing in order to help the team in the capacity that I had at the moment. It was definitely a struggle.”

Moncada acknowledged sometimes being “out of energy,” especially when he was running the bases. His stamina also was an issue, but the switch-hitter feels very good right now.

“I feel strong. I am prepared to handle 162-plus games,” Moncada said. “I don't think it's going to be a problem for me to handle the season. My main goal right now is just to stay healthy, be able to play every day and help this team every day. If I do that, the other stuff is going to be there. I'm just trying to build up.”

“He's a key guy,” said White Sox manager Tony La Russa of Moncada. “When you talk about playing against the best teams, all those teams are deep. We have a chance to be deep so he's part of that depth. We'll watch him closely. This is February and we're being careful with his arm, so he has time to get it ready. Otherwise, he looks like he's ready to go.”

Vaughn conditioning for success
Getting into better physical condition was a primary offseason focus for Andrew Vaughn, the White Sox top prospect, as he shared during a recent interview with MLB.com. It wasn’t so much dropping weight, although Vaughn lost some, but it was more about changing his body overall and picking up the intensity in the process.

“Last year everything kind of got a little monotonous at the (Schaumburg alternate) training site,” Vaughn said. “The adrenaline wasn’t pumping. It wasn’t an ideal situation. … I feel lputtike I let it slip a little bit, so I didn’t like that, and I wanted to change that around.

“I needed to add to that a little bit. I just stayed in shape better, worked out more regimented. It definitely helped me a lot.”

Vaughn is a leading contender to serve as the White Sox designated hitter.

Third to first
• Moncada intends to use his first hit single, Disastre Personal, as his walkup music this season.

• Dylan Cease, Liam Hendriks, Evan Marshall and Codi Heuer threw live bullpens Tuesday during workouts. At one point, Hendriks raced off the mound and caught an Adam Engel infield fly near the dugout, yelling, “Pitchers are athletes” after the play.

They Said it
“Tied for first and happy.” -- La Russa, when asked how he was feeling Tuesday morning as he walked past the media.

“I felt and I feel proud of him because I know the kind of player that he is, the kind of guy that he is. I've known him for a very long time. And he deserves it. We are from Cuba, we are from the same province in Cuba, and that's definitely something that made you feel proud.” -- Moncada on José Abreu winning the 2020 AL MVP.