White Sox holding out hope Moncada will be ready for opener

Yoan Moncada didn't speak to reporters after going through his second workout Friday, but White Sox manager Rick Renteria was encouraged by what he saw.

"I was actually pleasantly surprised," Renteria said.

Moncada rejoined the Sox on Thursday after missing the beginning of summer camp recovering from coronavirus.

The third baseman wasn't able to do any baseball activities during the down time, which followed a layoff of over three months when COVID-19 shut down baseball.

Still, it is possible Moncada will be in the starting lineup next Friday when the White Sox open the season against the Twins at Guaranteed Rate Field.

"He was doing leg work out there with (strength and conditioning coach Allen Thomas) today after he did his throwing program," Renteria said. "Ground balls early with (third-base coach) Nick (Capra), he did his throwing program. His legs looked better than I thought they were going to look, in his movements, in his actions, in his explosiveness."

Renteria is going to continue monitoring Moncada, who finished third in the American League with a .315 batting average last season while establishing career highs with 34 doubles, 25 home runs and 79 RBI.

"We're going to do everything we can to put him in a position to give him a chance to be with us as we open up," Renteria said. "I just have to be very mindful that he's listening to his body and he's giving me information I can use to draw a conclusion. We're doing everything we can to expedite it without putting him in harm's way."

Moncada also stood in the batter's box and tracked pitches from Dallas Keuchel Thursday.

Feeling good:

Gio Gonzalez started in Friday's intrasquad game, and the 34-year-old lefty said the shoulder discomfort that was bothering him in February and March is no longer an issue.

When the season starts next Friday, the White Sox's rotation will feature Lucas Giolito, Dallas Keuchel, Dylan Cease, Gonzalez and Reynaldo Lopez.

Carlos Rodon also views himself as a starter, and Gonzalez would have no problem pitching in a six-man rotation if it works out that way.

"The more help, the better," Gonzalez said. "I think, for me, you would adapt to it immediately. It's something that, at this point in the game, we're late in July, whatever situation's going to help us get those wins, I'm all for it. I've gotten to a point in my career where I want to win, that's the most important thing."