Top Chicago White Sox prospect Jimenez tearing up Southern League

Sorry to intentionally mangle a Three Dog Night song, but Eloy's coming.

Not Eli, Eloy Jimenez.

After missing the first half of April with a strained pectoral muscle, Jimenez is making up for the lost time with Class AA Birmingham.

"He's doing very, very well," manager Rick Renteria said of the Chicago White Sox's top hitting prospect. "Being down to start the season, he gets in there and seemingly doesn't skip a beat."

Jimenez has been red hot for Birmingham and he continued making a fast push to the major leagues Tuesday.

The 21-year-old outfielder homered in his first at-bat against Pensacola, and a 2-for-4 night raised his batting average to .333.

In only 19 games, Jimenez ranks second in the Southern League with 7 home runs. Teammate Seby Zavala (8) is first.

Look for Jimenez to be promoted to Class AAA Charlotte in the near future, and the Sox are a likely destination later this summer. Just don't ask the 6-foot-4, 220-pounder when he expects to arrive.

"That's not something I can tell you because I don't have control of it," Jimenez said. "That's something the front office has to deal with. I just try to handle the things I can control. Work hard every day and perform."

Sox fall to Pirates:

Looking to improve the worst home record (3-13) in baseball, the White Sox got off to a promising start in Tuesday night's interleague game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Guaranteed Rate Field.

With Welington Castillo hitting the first of his 2 home in the game, a 2-run shot, and Yolmer Sanchez adding an RBI triple, the Sox staked starting pitcher Lucas Giolito to a 4-0 lead in the first inning.

Giolito wasn't able to hold the lead, and the young right-hander had another forgettable outing in the Sox's 10-6 loss to Pittsburgh. At 3-14, the White Sox are off to their worst start at home since 1971.

Giolito was tagged for 4 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks in 4 innings, raising his ERA to 7.25.

"They gave me a 4-run lead," Giolito said. "To throw that many pitches (98) in that few innings, that's not doing my job. Not a good night."

Trainer's room:

Injured starter Miguel Gonzalez (inflamed rotator cuff) threw a simulated game Tuesday and is hoping head out on a rehabilitation assignment in the coming days.

"I know he wants to," manager Rick Renteria said. "We'll see how he feels tomorrow and then we can make a determination as to how we'll progress."

Gonzalez has been on the DL since April 19.