Moncada returns, sparks White Sox in 6-1 win over Texas
Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada and Eloy Jimenez have all dealt with the injury bug over the past two months, but the White Sox's talented young trio was positioned to all play in the same game Thursday night for the first time since June 25.
Right before batting practice, the Sox announced Jimenez was scratched with a right hip strain. The wait continues.
"He felt it (Wednesday)," manager Rick Renteria said. "In the game (at Minnesota) he didn't say anything, played the whole nine innings. He came in today, did some hitting, said he didn't feel anything, went out and ran, felt a little tightness. For us an abundance of caution. Just give him the day and let him get treated up and hopefully this is a very short-lived break for him."
Anderson has been back in the White Sox's lineup since July 30, when he returned from a sprained ankle. Before the current hip ailment, Jimenez missed time with an elbow injury.
Moncada was back in the lineup against the Rangers for the first time since July 30. Returning from a hamstring strain, the third baseman sparked the Sox to a 6-1 win over Texas.
"It has been a long time for me since the last time I played here," Moncada said through a translator. "I just tried to get my treatment, get ready, get rehabbed and get healthy as fast as I could. Now I feel good and I'm ready to play."
Moncada got ready for his return with 5 rehab games for Class AAA Charlotte, where he was 9-for-22 (.409) with 2 home runs and 6 RBI.
He showed no signs of rust against the Rangers, hitting a 2-run homer in the third inning and adding a double in the fifth.
In his final at-bat, Moncada grounded out to third and hit the dirt after tripping coming out of the box. He stayed in the game, but heard it from his teammates.
"The leg's no good!" Jose Abreu said.
"They were all over me about that," Moncada said. "Everything's good. Just a little scratch on my knee."
Detwiler deals:
Ross Detwiler started for the Sox Thursday, and the journeyman left-hander held Texas to a run on 3 hits.
"He did a nice job," manager Rick Renteria said. "He kept those guys off balance."
Detwiler finished with 8 strikeouts, a career high.
"I felt good," said Detwiler, who had his changeup working. "Just keeping the ball down. I tried to keep the ball at the bottom of the (strike) zone."
Scouting report:
Yoan Moncada returned to the White Sox Thursday after playing 5 rehab games with Class AAA Charlotte.
The third baseman was asked about star prospect Luis Robert, who is also at Charlotte.
"I think he's having a terrific season," Moncada said. "He's talented and we're all seeing that. I think he's ready. I think he's ready for this level. But he still needs to do the things that the team wants him to do."