Jimenez grudgingly getting job done as White Sox's DH
For the rest of the season, perhaps beyond, it looks like the White Sox have a full-time designated hitter.
Eloy Jimenez doesn't like it, but he's coming to terms with being a one-way player.
"I need to do my job," he said. "It is what it is right now."
Jimenez would much rather be playing his customary spot - left field.
But after missing most of the first half of the season with a torn hamstring tendon behind his right knee, running has been an issue.
In Wednesday afternoon's loss to the Rockies at Guaranteed Rate Field, Jimenez made his 15th straight start at DH.
"The thing is, him being a DH gives him a little time to rest instead of standing in the outfield and not moving that well," acting manager Miguel Cairo said. "So being a DH, it gives him a little time to sit down, keep his legs loose and moving in the cage."
Jimenez hasn't let his disdain for being the designated hitter affect his performance.
He's hitting .483 (14-for-29) with 3 home runs and 9 RBI over his last seven games and Jimenez has been able to make the most of the additional downtime for a DH.
Hitting in the cage to keep his bat warm has been the biggest adjustment.
"It keeps me focused on the game and whatever happens, happens," he said.
Take a break:
Cleared by a hand specialist to ramp up baseball activities Tuesday, Tim Anderson took ground balls and took dry swings with a fungo bat.
On Wednesday, the White Sox's shortstop didn't do much of anything.
"It's an easier day for him," acting manager Miguel Cairo said. "Just do stuff and treatment and hopefully tomorrow he gets more groundballs. We have to wait to see."
Out for over a month after having surgery to repair a tendon in his middle left finger, Anderson could be back with the Sox next week when they open a three-game series against the first-place Guardians Tuesday night at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Who's the boss?
Miguel Cairo is the Sox's acting manager, and Tony La Russa has watched the past three games in suites instead of the dugout.
It's not an ideal situation, but the White Sox have been trying to stay focused on baseball as La Russa deals with a heart issue.
"I don't think the team is distracted right now," general manager Rick Hahn said. "I think we've been able to navigate the last couple weeks well. And if it winds up we navigate the next three weeks and, hopefully, into October under similar conditions, we've shown that we're able to excel in these conditions. The shorter answer is no, I'm not concerned about that."