Prospect Moncada back in form after layoff for thumb injury
Prized second- base prospect Yoan Moncada’s 2017 joyride has been halted somewhat, but White Sox general manager Rick Hahn is seeing signs he is getting back on track.
Moncada, who missed 10 days in May with a bruised left thumb at Class AAA Charlotte, has struggled to get back to his pre- injury form. Entering play Tuesday, Moncada was hitting .162 with one home run in his last 10 games. On the plus side, Moncada had walked seven times in his last four games and Hahn said he’s pain- free, partly because of an adjustment with the padding in his batting glove.
‘‘ Although he initially was a little bit rusty, he has gotten back to form now in the last few days,’’ Hahn said.
Of course, the big question is whether Moncada will be called up this season.
‘‘ Moncada, I would think so at some point,’’ Hahn said. ‘‘ We have a handful of guys down there that are pushing, forcing the issue, so to speak.’’
Black- and- blue Sox
Hahn and manager Rick Renteria provided updates on the extensive list of Sox injuries.
Right- hander James Shields ( strained right lat) pitched five innings Tuesday at Charlotte. Lefthander Carlos Rodon ( bursitis in left biceps) also will make another rehab start at Charlotte. Hahn said reliever Michael Ynoa ( strained flexor in right hip) is ‘‘ progressing nicely’’ and might not need a rehab assignment. As for reliever Nate Jones ( neuritis in right elbow), Hahn said the Sox are going to let him get 100 percent pain- free before ‘‘ ramping him up again.’’ Hahn said reliever Zach Putnam ( inflammation in right elbow) also is having trouble getting pain- free.
As for the position players, infielder Tyler Saladino ( back spasms) is improving, and the Sox hope to send him to Arizona to increase his activity sometime during the upcoming road trip. Outfielder Charlie Tilson ( stress reaction in right foot) is progressing, and the Sox hope to get him on a rehab assignment by the end of June or early July. And X- rays on outfielder Leury Garcia’s left hand were negative.
Hanging around
Outfielder Avisail Garcia’s chance to be voted an American League starter for the All- Star Game on July 11 in Miami took a little hit. After ranking fifth among AL outfielders last week, Garcia fell to sixth with 698,876 votes in totals released Tuesday. The third AL outfield spot was held by the Astros’ George Springer ( 804,826).
Garcia was hit in the left elbow with a pitch in the sixth inning but stayed in the game.
Thefirst start
Alen Hanson made his first start for the Sox, playing second base and going 0- for- 4. Yolmer Sanchez moved to shortstop, and Tim Anderson was rested.