Jimenez officially makes White Sox roster

Jay headed to the injured list as club prepares for Thursday in KC

March 27th, 2019
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      PHOENIX, Ariz. -- will break camp with the big league club as expected and is on track to start in left field on Opening Day against the Royals on Thursday in Kansas City.

      Veteran outfielder is staying put and headed to the injured list.

      Their status was made official when the White Sox announced their 25-man roster following Tuesday’s 7-1 victory against the D-backs at Chase Field. Ryan Cordell, recalled from Triple-A Charlotte with Jimenez on Tuesday night, will replace Jay on the roster.

      Jimenez agreed to a six-year, $43 million contract with the club last week, that also included two club options that could extend the deal through the 2026 season. Jimenez will receive a $5 million bonus in addition to $1 million in 2019, $1.5 million in '20, $3.5 million in '21, $6.5 million in '22, $9.5 million in '23 and $13 million in '24. The White Sox hold options for $16.5 million in '25 and $18.5 million in '26, with $3 million buyouts for either season.

      “It’s the dream that all players want,” Jimenez said. “It’s amazing. I feel really proud of the work I have done. It’s really amazing when you are one step closer to the Majors. When I signed I said, ‘It’s not going to be too long,’ and it wasn’t.”

      Jimenez and Cordell join outfielders Leury Garcia, Daniel Palka, Adam Engel, catchers Welington Castillo and James McCann along with infielders Yolmer Sanchez, Yoan Moncada, Tim Anderson, and utility player Jose Rondon. Jose Abreu and Yonder Alonso will split time at first base and designated hitter.

      “[Abreu and Alonso] have been blending and doing everything they can to stay focused and do everything they need to do,” White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. “We’ll continue to just talk, make sure they’re communicating, make sure they get what they both need so they can do what they’re capable of doing. And continue to move forward. I don’t see a problem. I want to be able to be flexible with both of them.”

      As for Jay, he experienced soreness in his right hip/back area following Sunday’s game against the Indians. He originally sustained the injury during drills before a Cactus League game on March 13.

      “You don’t start off with 25 guys that you end up breaking with. We’ve all seen it,” Renteria said of injuries during Spring Training. “It’s just part of the game. It’s kind of something that you have to deal with the best that you can. For us, I think we have guys that, if something should occur, we have enough depth and guys that should keep us moving along. I think everybody cringes when something happens to a player, and we do too, but I think we’re in a much better place now than we were three years ago.”

      On the pitching side of the roster, Carlos Rodon will start Opening Day against the Royals, followed by Reynaldo Lopez and Lucas Giolito. Ivan Nova will start the series opener against the Indians on Monday in Cleveland. The White Sox won’t need a fifth starter until April 10, which allows Ervin Santana to stay back in Arizona to train at the complex. The club will need a roster spot when he is added to the Major League roster.

      The eight-man bullpen features closer Alex Colome and setup men Nate Jones, Jace Fry and Kelvin Herrera, along with Caleb Frare, Dylan Covey, Ryan Burr and Manny Bañuelos. Right-handed pitcher Ian Hamilton, who had a Spring Training setback after a car accident with his fiancée, also was placed on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation.

      “All these guys that we continue to get to know and some of the new ones we’ve gotten to know this spring who showed the ability to compete here at the Major League level,” Renteria said. “I think it validated, more than anything, the depth that we do have. Truly looking at them and the way they were performing, we’re in a good place.”

      Worth noting

      • Nova was charged with one run on one hit – a solo home run from Jake Lamb in the second – in three innings of work against the D-backs on Tuesday. He struck out three and did not walk a batter.

      • Outfielder Brandon Guyer, in camp with the White Sox as a non-roster invite, was re-signed to a Minor League contract. Guyer was released by the White Sox on Friday.

      Up next

      The White Sox will have a day off Wednesday before sending Carlos Rodon to the mound Thursday on Opening Day at 3:15 p.m. CT against the Royals in Kansas City.

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      Jesse Sanchez, who has been with MLB.com since 2001, is Director of Talent Development and Diversity Outreach - Content and based in Phoenix.