White Sox get past Royals as Moncada deals with aftereffects of COVID-19

Yoan Moncada is not having a good season, and the standout third baseman has been a frequent target of White Sox fan dismay on, what else, social media.

Before Thursday night's game against the Royals, Moncada admitted his sore left leg has been bothering him.

“It's not full strength like I'm used to, but I'm managing it,” Moncada said through Sox translator Billy Russo.

Managing the after effects of the coronavirus has been a much bigger challenge for the 25-year-old switch-hitter.

Moncada missed most of the White Sox's summer training camp after testing positive for COVID-19, and he is still dealing with symptoms.

“Definitely, my body hasn't felt the same after the virus,” Moncada said. “I feel a lack of energy, strength, it's just a weird feeling. It's different. When I got to Chicago before I tested positive, I was feeling strong and with energy. Now, it's like a daily battle to try to find that strength, that energy to go through the day. But that's something that I have to deal with and it is what it is. I have to find a way to get through it.”

Moncada sat out three games before returning to the Sox's lineup Wednesday at Minnesota. Sluggish or not, he wants to play and manager Rick Renteria is being as cautious as possible.

“These guys are going to do the best they possibly can under any circumstance,” Renteria said. “People might question why he might not be doing something here or there, but in the end we know where they're at. I hope he can play to the excellent level he has in the past, but we are aware of the things he's going through on a daily basis, as we are aware of everyone on the club.”

Moncada was 0-for-3 with a sacrifice fly and 1 walk in the White Sox's 11-6 win over the Royals in the first of a four-game series.

Jose Abreu was 2-for-5 with 3 RBI and Luis Robert hit a mammoth 3-run homer that traveled 458 feet. Starter Dylan Cease pitched 5 innings and allowed 3 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks.