CHICAGO -- The primary goal for Eloy Jiménez is to become a nine-inning player, known as much for his defense in left field as his prowess already achieved at the plate at just 23.

Jiménez has worked tirelessly to achieve this goal, with daily pregame assistance from first-base coach Daryl Boston, who also guides the outfielders. So when Jiménez misses on a tough but makeable play as he did Thursday night on Christian Yelich's fly ball turned into a game-tying inside-the-park home run, the immediate criticism bothers him to some extent.

That criticism does not and will not deter him.

“People don’t think I can play defense,” Jiménez said during a Friday Zoom call. “For me, it’s a challenge, and I know I can play. So it is something that I want to do for myself, first, and the people talking. And just go out and put some work in and play hard.”

“I wish there was a lot more said about some of the nice plays he makes that is never talked about, to be honest,” White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. “I notice them and see the routes and I see the catches, and nobody really talks about those things. In regard to how he's dealing with it, he's dealing with it fine. He continues to work. His confidence will not wane.”

Injuries have hit Jiménez on three separate occasions in relation to defense, with Jiménez running into the wall on a Greyson Greiner home run last year and chasing a Jake Cave grand slam this season. He also collided with Charlie Tilson chasing a fly ball last year, leading to an 11-day absence.

But Jiménez believes those injuries come from simply playing hard, and he has full faith in his capabilities even after drawing the negative focus following the Yelich play. He received good advice from Renteria in that area Thursday night.

“He just said great players have those days. You are one of them,” Jiménez said. “So move forward and keep working hard, and I know you can do it.

“I have to continue to look beyond this particular moment and anticipate we'll be able to continue to correct course so that he becomes as good of an outfielder as possible, so he won't have to be dealing with questions like this,” Renteria said. “But again, everybody makes mistakes. Even the best make mistakes.”

Collins needs time

Zack Collins, the No. 12 White Sox prospect per MLB Pipeline, received a second straight start at designated hitter Friday with Edwin Encarnación remaining out of action due to soreness in his left shoulder area. Collins has opened the season 0-for-10 with two walks and three strikeouts, although he just missed a game-tying three-run home run against Freddy Peralta Thursday night.

The left-handed catcher certainly would benefit from regular at-bats. But Renteria is trying to do the best he can with Collins amid the locked-in everyday players.

“There's probably a likelihood if we had been in a normal situation he'd be playing down in Triple-A, continuing to get more at-bats, continuing to stay active,” Renteria said. “We still believe there's value in him gaining information here and getting some of the at-bats he's getting.

“It's just one of those moments in time right now where we're in a unique situation. Nobody expected to find ourselves in it, but we're going to try to do everything we can to keep him moving along. It's very difficult for him. Any player that feels he should be having opportunities and getting them is always going to be anxious to want to show everybody what they're capable of doing. I totally, totally understand that.”

Third to first
• Catcher Yasmani Grandal and right fielder Nomar Mazara did not start in Friday’s series opener against Cleveland but were considered available by Renteria. Grandal has a little left foot irritation, while Mazara was hit by a pitch in the same area of the left foot for a second straight night Thursday. Renteria expected both to return on Saturday afternoon.

• Shortstop Tim Anderson, who is on the 10-day injured list with a right groin strain, will work out with the team on Sunday. He should be back when the White Sox visit Detroit next week.

He said it
“It’s always been positive energy. We know how good we are. We know what we are capable of. We know how hard we work and trust and believe in our work. There was never a moment we were down or worried about anything, and I don’t think there ever will be as long as we can continue to be the best we can be and continue to have fun. The rest will take care of itself.” -- Anderson, on the White Sox never losing focus after starting 1-4