Moncada off to good start at third base

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Before rallying in the ninth inning of Thursday's eventual 5-3 loss to the Royals, White Sox high points were laying low.

There was one, Yoan Moncada's defensive play at third base.

"He's pretty good," manager Rick Renteria said. "He made some plays … I'll be honest, I don't think anyone else makes. And we've been saying that since spring training. A component of his athleticism, his first step off the ball on contact is really, really good. It's special. And his ability to throw on the run and in different positions, I hope it's a sign of things to come at third base."

In the season opener against Kansas City, Moncada charged in and made standout plays to throw out Chris Owings and Martin Maldonado at first base. He also didn't flinch while catching a rocket line drive off Whit Merrifield's bat.

It was only one game for Moncada, who was the Sox's starting second baseman the last two seasons, but it was a promising performance.

"His athleticism is the same as at second," Renteria said. "There's just a lot more going on at third, and there are more plays like those coming forward that he's able to make because he's so athletic and quick to the ball. And he's got the ability to throw from different angles. He's pretty good, and I hope moving forward he's a special guy over there."

Lopez eyes innings:

In his first full major-league season, Reynaldo Lopez led the White Sox with 19 quality starts and ranked second to James Shields with 188⅔ innings pitched.

This year, Lopez wants to be even more of a workhorse.

"That's one of my goals, to reach that 200-inning mark and hopefully surpass that mark," Lopez said through a translator. "That was one my goals last year. I wasn't able to accomplish that but I think I positioned myself to accomplish that this year. I've been working very hard in spring training and even before spring training on my conditioning and all my stuff to be able to perform at the highest level and to be able to accomplish that mark."

Lopez is the Sox's No. 2 starter this season, and the 25-year-old righty makes his debut against the Royals Saturday.

"I'm probably more confident this year because of the results I got last year," said Lopez, who was 7-10 with a 3.91 ERA in 2018. "At the same time, I'm eager and hungrier this year to do more, to do better, to keep improving."

Cordell's a keeper:

With Jon Jay on the 10-day injured list with a strained right hip, the White Sox had to break spring training with a new outfielder.

They could have selected Nicky Delmonico, but he's a left fielder and that is Eloy Jimenez's position.

The Sox went with Ryan Cordell, who was acquired in a 2017 trade from the Brewers for relief pitcher Anthony Swarzak.

"He gives us an opportunity to come off the bench, maybe pinch-hit, do some late inning defensive replacement," manager Rick Renteria said. "We think he started to put together a little something in the spring and we wanted to give him another look and give him an opportunity. I think he's worked very hard and I think everybody was really happy with the opportunity we might be able to give him."

Cordell fractured his right collarbone after running into the outfield wall while playing for Class AAA Charlotte last April.

He was sidelined for over three months, but wound up joining the White Sox's expanded roster in September.

In 19 games with the Sox, Cordell was 4-for-37 (.108) with 1 home run and 4 RBI.

In 20 Cactus League games this spring, the 26-year-old outfielder batted .243 with 1 homer and 5 RBI.