Eloy close to Sox return: 'Everything is good'

Anderson's rehab going well; prospects ranked highly by MLB Pipeline

July 28th, 2019

CHICAGO -- If high energy and a constant upbeat demeanor indicates one's well-being, then is ready to come off the injury list.

The White Sox left fielder going through baseball activity without pain supports that particular hypothesis, with a return for the rookie almost certainly coming during the upcoming series against the Mets, which begins Tuesday at Guaranteed Rate Field.

“Everything feels pretty good, pretty normal. Now it's just maybe a couple more days and be back on the field,” Jimenez said after taking full batting practice in the White Sox last group prior to Saturday’s contest with the Twins. “No pain. Everything is good.

“Yeah, I'm ready. It's not my decision. I feel really good. Now it's in their hands. When I first felt it, I thought I was out for the season because I felt really hurt. After that, after the MRI, they said, 'Ten days, let's work for that.' Now, I feel really good.”

The right ulnar contusion, suffered in a first-inning collision with center fielder Charlie Tilson at Kauffman Stadium on July 16, understandably scared Jimenez at first because he felt numbness down the right arm. That numbness went away by later that night, and the pain went away after about four days, he said.

Along with batting practice, Jimenez threw to the bases from the outfield after throwing from a shallower distance on Friday. All reports pointed to a return in the next few days without a Minor League rehab assignment.

“He’s been able to manage everything here, and it hasn’t been really that long in terms of time,” White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. “It would be nice to get him some at-bats, but he’s swinging and doing everything he can right now. As long as he’s healthy, we’ll be happy with that."

“It would be accurate,” the skipper said of Jimenez's return being imminent. “He’s getting close enough that it’s nearing the near future.”

Renteria mentioned on Friday that Jimenez could serve as the White Sox designated hitter from time to time upon his return.

“I don't know,” Jimenez said. “I don't like DH, but if he needs me there, I'm going to do it for the team.”

“Again, he’ll go through the full routine,” Renteria said. “Hopefully everything continues to remain positive.”

Anderson also close to returning

Although Tim Anderson originally was scheduled for an off-day on Saturday with Triple-A Charlotte, he returned to the Knights’ leadoff spot as the team’s designated hitter. Anderson, sidelined by a high right ankle sprain, will play again Sunday and then have an off-day Monday that coincides with the White Sox off-day.

“He’s been pushing to continue to play,” Renteria said. “They’re collaborating in terms of conversations. He’ll still be active today. He’s been fine. He’s been running fine. He’s felt good. No complaints.”

Anderson went 2-for-5 with a solo home run on Saturday for the Knights.

White Sox with strong representation in Top 100

The MLB Pipeline mid-season re-rank of their Top 100 prospects featured five White Sox players in the mix.

Outfielder Luis Robert held strong at No. 5 overall, followed by right-handed pitcher Michael Kopech at No. 18 and first baseman Andrew Vaughn at No. 23. Vaughn was the White Sox top pick at No. 3 overall in the 2019 Draft.

Right-handed pitcher Dylan Cease, who lost his third straight White Sox start Friday, checks in at No. 25. Second baseman Nick Madrigal, the No. 4 overall pick from the 2018 Draft, was ranked No. 43.

They said it

“Today is a new day. They look at it as a new day, and they’re certainly coming out to try to perform and do the best that they can.” -- Renteria, on his team’s 3-12 second-half run entering Saturday

“We're going to keep playing hard and I know that things are going to happen.” -- Jimenez, on a possible team turnaround with his return and Anderson’s return coming soon

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Senior Reporter Scott Merkin has covered the White Sox for MLB.com since 2003.