White Sox reliever Jones hoping to bounce back from another injury

On the White Sox's last homestand, injury news came fast and furious.

There was starting pitcher Carlos Rodon meeting the media to discuss his inflamed left elbow and the likelihood of season-ending Tommy John surgery.

There was rookie left fielder Eloy Jimenez taking his first physical steps back from a high ankle sprain that is likely to keep him sidelined until at least the end of the month.

There was Jon Jay, who is finally on the field at extended spring training. There is still no timetable for the veteran outfielder (hip/groin injury) to make his Sox debut.

There were top pitching prospects Michael Kopech and Dane Dunning discussing their recoveries from Tommy John surgery.

Kopech should be ready to get back on the mound again when spring training opens next year. Dunning is still in the early stages of the healing process after having Tommy John surgery in mid-March.

Somewhat lost in the flood of injury news is Nate Jones.

The longest tenured player (2012) on the White Sox's roster when the season opened, Jones is back on the injured list again and facing an uncertain future.

Diagnosed with a flexor pronator strain in his right forearm, the 33-year-old reliever was moved to the 60-day IL Monday and can't be activated until the end of June.

In 13 appearances this season, Jones is 0-1 with a 3.48 ERA and 1 save. The right-hander has 10 strikeouts in 10.1 innings.

"The frustrating part is I was having results," Jones said. "I was getting guys out and doing my part for the team. That's the tough part is when you can do that but you are not feeling 100 percent. That's the thing I struggle with the most."

It's been a tough run for Jones on the health front.

In 2014, he appeared in only 2 games before going down with a hip injury followed by Tommy John surgery.

He pitched in 11 games in 2017 before having surgery to reposition the ulnar nerve in his right arm.

Last year, Jones missed three months with the same injury he has this season.

If he can make another comeback, Jones is up for the challenge.

"There's always hope," he said. "There's disappointment you can't do your job, but there's always hope you are going to get back and do it. That's what I hang on to. You have to have a certain mentality and toughness to play this game, too.

"I've been around it long enough where that's helped out, and having been through this situation before really helps out."