MONCADA, RUIZ ON ‘INJURED’ LIST
Third baseman Yoan Moncada and right-handed pitcher Jose Ruiz, speculated to be the two White Sox players who tested positive for the coronavirus during the team’s intake testing period, were put on the 10-day injured list Friday.
The Sox’ announcement didn’t specify the reasons why the two men are on the IL. Teams aren’t permitted to say if the coronavirus is the reason.
Moncada and Ruiz have not been seen in camp since it opened July 3, the day the Sox announced that two unnamed players tested positive. Those players were said to be asymptomatic and must pass consecutive tests before being activated.
“We cannot comment on the health status of individual players or employees regarding COVID-19, and the players involved requested privacy at this time related to their health situations,” the Sox said then.
Ruiz was on the bubble among relievers to make the pitching staff for Opening Day on July 24, but Moncada had emerged as one of the game’s best players last season. Danny Mendick, Andrew Romine and Leury Garcia are options at third if Moncada isn’t ready.
Third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert, who had trouble leaving Nicaragua and was late for the start of camp, returned to Chicago on Thursday. Minor-leaguers Yermin Mercedes, a catcher, and Andrew Vaughn ,a first baseman, played third base in intrasquad games the last two days.
Keuchel perfect in intrasquad game
Left-hander Dallas Keuchel started and retired all seven batters he faced in the Sox’ intrasquad game at Guaranteed Rate Field. He struck out Adam Engel, Andrew Vaughn and Zack Collins.
“He could have went out there for another one,” said bench coach Joe McEwing, who’s running the team while Sox manager Rick Renteria is in California for a funeral. “It was great to see him out there. A lot of positives, a lot of ground balls . . . . We are getting him where he needs to be.”
THE WHOA FACTOR
McEwing said shortstop Tim Anderson has done exercises to open his hips and increase flexibility “so he could bend more.”
“The way his body, his movements, work, he is in a better position getting off the ball, fielding the ball, throwing the ball,” said McEwing, who works with the infielders. “The ball is coming out of his hands strong right now . . . and he’s like, ‘Joe, I’m only like 50 to 60 percent.’ And I was like, ‘Whoa.’ ’’
Anderson triggered another “whoa” in the intrasquad game Friday, belting a home run to center against Kelvin Herrera. He also singled sharply to left against Jimmy Cordero.
CUTOUTS CLAIMED FAST
FANtastic Faces, the cardboard cutouts of fans’ likenesses that will be displayed at Guaranteed Rate Field during the Sox’ opening homestand, sold out quickly.
More than 1,500 cutouts will fill seats for the three-game series against the Twins on July 24-26. At $49 per cutout, they generated more than $55,000 for White Sox Charities.
This and that
First baseman Jose Abreu homered against closer Alex Colome, who also struck out Luis Robert on three pitches, walked Yasmani Grandal and retired Eloy Jimenez and Nomar Mazara in the intrasquad game.
◆ Righty reliever Jimmy Codero pitched two scoreless innings with two strikeouts. ✶