Engel on IL for virus protocol
White Sox outfielder Adam Engel didn’t test positive for the coronavirus, but he might have been around someone who has. With that, he will spend time on the COVID injured list until it’s safe for him to return.
To take Engel’s place on the roster, the Sox purchased the contract of outfield prospect Luis Gonzalez from their alternate training facility in Schaumburg.
The person Engel was in contact with isn’t associated with Major League Baseball, general manager Rick Hahn said. Engel doesn’t have any symptoms.
‘‘As a result, he is being isolated and will return once further testing is complete,’’ Hahn said.
Hahn said there is no concern Engel might have infected a teammate. He isn’t required to stay on the IL for 10 days.
‘‘Major League Baseball was obviously involved, as were our doctors,’’ Hahn said. ‘‘The experts have all determined there is fortunately no additional risk to anyone associated with the club at this time.’’
Gonzalez, a third-round draft choice by the Sox in 2017, is a career .269/.344/.412 hitter with 25 home runs in 310 games spanning three seasons in the minors.
He is the Sox’ 13th-ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline and has no major-league experience.
Engel, a Gold Glove candidate in center two seasons ago, was batting .263/.317/.500 with two home runs in 14 games.
Hahn hints at start for Dunning
Hahn hinted pitching prospect Dane Dunning might be brought up from Schaumburg to start Wednesday in the rotation spot vacated by injured left-hander Carlos Rodon (sore shoulder).
The Tigers are starting Casey Mize, MLB Pipeline’s No. 8 prospect, in what would be a matchup of major-league debuts for the right-handers. Dunning is the Sox’ No. 8 prospect.
‘‘I don’t like to announce roster moves in advance of when they happen, certainly not days in advance,’’ Hahn said. ‘‘I think that tempts the baseball gods too much to derail things, and they’ve been kind of cruel to us already this year.
‘‘But I think we’ll probably have a pretty good pitching matchup going on here Wednesday night between some young guys. I know Detroit’s throwing Casey Mize, which will be fun to see. And we are certainly having conversations about one of our good young arms, like Dane Dunning, coming to make that start.’’
Lopez and Rodon updates
Hahn said he remains optimistic righthander Reynaldo Lopez (sore shoulder), who has been out since his first start, will return by the end of the month.
‘‘Rodon, he’s probably a half-click behind Lopez, but he was here [Sunday], threw a sideline, had a good outing with that,’’ Hahn said. ‘‘He is soon to enter his next stage of the throwing program, which will have him competing out at Schaumburg.’’
Hahn said Rodon’s return ‘‘may drift into the first week of September, depending on how the throwing program goes.’’
Hahn also said second baseman Nick Madrigal (separated shoulder) is on target to return by the end of August.
No timetable for Bummer
Hahn said it was too soon to offer a timetable for the return of left-handed reliever Aaron Bummer (biceps), who is still in the ‘‘calming down and healing’’ phase of recovery.
‘‘The good news is, as a reliever, we don’t have to get him quite as stretched out as we would as a starter,’’ Hahn said.