Eloy Jimenez likely to rejoin White Sox on Tuesday
Eloy Jimenez is likely going to come off the 10-day injured list on Tuesday and be back in the White Sox's starting lineup against the Mets.
If he had a say, the Sox's star rookie would have played against the Twins Saturday night, the first day he was eligible to be activated.
"I'm ready," Jimenez said after taking batting practice Saturday afternoon. "I feel good. I feel really good."
Jimenez, who is hitting .244/.307/.483 with 17 home runs and 39 RBI in 67 games, has been out since July 17. The day before, he collided with center fielder Charlie Tilson during an 11-0 loss at Kansas City and injured his right elbow.
"When I first felt it I thought I was out for the season because I felt really hurt," Jimenez said. "After the MRI, they said 10 days, let's work for that. Now I feel really good."
The White Sox's offense has been stagnant since the all-star break, so getting Jimenez back is only going to help. Ditto for injured shortstop Tim Anderson, who should also be back Tuesday.
"All I can say is for everybody on the team, it's a little bit frustrating because we had a really good first half," Jimenez said. "Now we are really having a little bit of a struggle. But I know it's going to be back. We're going to keep playing hard and I know that things are going to happen."
When Jimenez is back, there have been some rumblings he might start spending more time at designated hitter.
Sidelined earlier this season with a sprained ankle after running into the fence trying to make a catch, Jimenez has twice been hurt playing defense.
He has started one game at DH, which might be safer but is not preferable.
"I don't know," Jimenez said. "I don't like DH, but if he (manager Rick Renteria) needs me there, I'm going to do it for the team."
Even though Jimenez has had some struggles in left field, Renteria actually thinks he can develop into a solid defender.
In the Sox's final game before the all-star break, a 3-1 home win over the Cubs on July 7, Renteria pulled Jimenez in the top of the ninth inning.
"He got mad at me for taking him out," Renteria said. "I said, 'I want you to keep staying mad when that happens because hopefully that'll continue to push you and drive you and allow you to continue to work.' He's going to be capable of playing, trust me, both sides, nine innings, well.
"He's showing better jumps on the ball, all those things. I think he's going to be a well-rounded major-league baseball player."