HOUSTON -- Yoán Moncada still does not feel 100 percent healthy after missing the entire three-game series against the Rays earlier this week due to a sinus infection.

But the White Sox third baseman wants to be there for his team, especially with the significant injury absences it has dealt with all season.

“Yes, it’s definitely a pride thing,” said Moncada, through interpreter Billy Russo, during an on-field interview before Friday’s game. “You want to be accountable.

“You want to help the guys. I can play, it’s not like I’m disabled. Probably not at 100 percent, but I can play, and I know that there are ways I can help this team.”

The physical problems for Moncada arose during last Sunday’s game at Detroit, when he felt congestion, headaches and body aches and didn’t know what it was exactly. He feels better presently, but his body still feels tired.

After testing positive for COVID-19 during the 2020 intake process, Moncada never really was quite the same during the remainder of the season. The symptoms this week gave Moncada pause for thought concerning the virus reappearing.

“At the beginning, I was a little concerned because those were all the symptoms that I had last year. I lost [my] smell and taste for a little bit, and I was concerned,” Moncada said. “They tested me, and it all came out negative and it was good, it wasn’t COVID.

“It seems a little bit similar, because I don’t feel the strength in my body to do things, but I know that it’s not what I had last year. Right now, I just need to find a way to start feeling better and stronger and that’s what I’m working on.”

White Sox stalwarts such as left fielder Eloy Jiménez, center fielder Luis Robert and second baseman Nick Madrigal have been lost or will be lost for a significant period of time due to injuries. But much like how Moncada is doing now, the team has fought through the issues to stay atop the American League Central.

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“We’ve been playing as a team,” Moncada said. “That’s the key. We are united, we are playing for the same goal, everybody’s pulling to the same side. We’ve been very disciplined on how we like to do things and how we are performing. Even though we are missing some guys, the guys that are here are filling those holes.

“We’re a team, and I know that even though I’m not feeling good, the easy response would be, ‘I don’t want to play.’ But no, I want to help this team, I want to help my teammates to win games. I have to keep grinding and doing the best that I can to help this team, no matter what, if I’m feeling 100 percent or not.”

On second thought

Jake Burger’s return to the baseball field for the 2021 season has been a compelling tale. But the No. 12 White Sox prospect, per MLB Pipeline, is happy to focus on his on-field success with Triple-A Charlotte as opposed to continuously discussing a pair of ruptured left Achilles injuries that have sidelined him for close to three years.

“Exactly. No more Achilles questions,” said Burger with a laugh during a phone interview with MLB.com Friday. “I had three years of the Achilles questions, and I’m glad to just talk baseball now.”

The third baseman made his Minor League debut at second base for Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday and will get another start there Saturday night against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. Burger, who has eight home runs, 26 RBIs and an .839 OPS, took advantage of his opportunities, providing another option on his resume and possibly presenting the same to the White Sox.

His defense included a double-play turn on a Chad Wallach eighth-inning grounder.

“That definitely sped up on me, but the more I get used to it, the easier it will be,” Burger said. “Coming from the left side of the infield, you are used to all of your momentum constantly going to first base, whether it’s a shifted double play where I have to work around the bag, but my momentum is still going toward first.

“It’s a little different, not having all your momentum going to the bag and being able to rely on your arm and your quick transfer. It felt good.”

For the past 10 days or so, Burger has ramped up his pregame work at second base to get ready.

“I’m in the action almost every single play,” Burger said. “It’s been fun.”

“I like they are exposing him to second base down there,” White Sox manager Tony La Russa said. “It makes sense.”