Jimenez returns in Chicago White Sox's 11-1 loss to Twins

Expected to come off the 10-day injured list Tuesday night and play against the New York Mets, Eloy Jimenez was an early arrival - he was activated Sunday and was the Chicago White Sox's designated hitter against the Minnesota Twins.

"We're still going to limit his outfield play as he continues to throw for the next few days," manager Rick Renteria said. "But we can at least get his bat in the lineup. I'm sure he'll be a little bit behind but getting him back in there, just by putting him in there, creates a presence for us."

Jimenez was the DH, but his bat didn't make much of a difference in the Sox's 11-1 loss at Guaranteed Rate Field. Before he even came to the plate for the first time after returning from a sore right elbow, the White Sox were in sorry shape.

Sox starter Dylan Covey finally pitched his way out of the rotation. Coming in with a 1-6 record and 6.04 ERA, the right-hander gave up 5 runs on 5 hits in the first inning and was pulled from the game without recording an out.

After the loss - the Sox's 13th in 17 games since the all-star break - Covey was optioned to Class AAA Charlotte. A corresponding move will be made Tuesday.

"Just not hitting my spots, not throwing with conviction," Covey said. "Trying to go out there and compete knowing I have all the stuff in the world and just mentally out there, I think I'm trying to do too much. Trying to think too much about the game.

"Disappointed in myself, disappointed obviously, but a reset is a good word for it. I believe I'll be back. I have the stuff to be here. I just need to get everything clicking on all cylinders."

First baseman/DH AJ Reed pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the Sox. When he played college baseball at Kentucky, Reed was a standout pitcher.

"I actually threw a little, short bullpen a couple days ago with our pitching coach (Don Cooper)," Reed said. "They said be ready in case something like this comes up. Today was that day. That was my first time on the mound in six years. Just trying not to hurt myself."

The White Sox are reeling after playing 17 straight games coming out of the all-star break. Monday's off-day can only help.

"This hasn't really been the most productive 17 days," said Renteria, who was ejected by home-plate umpire Angel Hernandez in the sixth inning for arguing a low called third strike call on Jimenez. "We sure can use the day off, take the step back, try to regroup, have everybody catch their breath and see if we can restart something positive in the next series.

"It's not going to get any easier for us. Nobody feels sorry for us and every one of those guys in there knows that. They're not trying to go out there and fail at their job. They're all trying to do the best that they possibly can. We obviously have to go out and execute, and that's what we ask of them."