Minor deal: Yolmer returns
The White Sox are bringing Yolmer Sanchez back on a minor-league contract, a source confirmed Tuesday.
A Gold Glove second baseman for the Sox in 2019, Sanchez signed a minor-league deal with the Giants after the Sox non-tendered him. Sanchez did not get the starting job he was looking for in the Giants’ crowded second-base situation and asked for his release last week.
Sanchez spent the last month at the Giants’ alternate training site. He had missed the end of summer camp with a minor back injury but is said to be healthy now.
With Leury Garcia (thumb) out through September and second baseman Nick Madrigal on the injured list — although Madrigal might return this weekend — the Sox could use more infield depth. Danny Mendick can play three infield positions and is the current starter at second base, and the Sox also are relying on versatile infielder Ryan Goins, who started in place of third baseman Yoan Moncada on Friday.
A switch hitter, Sanchez batted .252 with two home runs and a .638 OPS in 149 games last season, his sixth with the Sox. He can play second base, shortstop and third base and also has played the outfield.
MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand first reported the deal, which is pending a physical and intake testing and hasn’t been announced.
Burger working his way back
Third baseman Jake Burger, the Sox’ 2017 first-round pick out of Missouri State who hasn’t played in two seasons because of a ruptured and re-ruptured left Achilles, then a bruised left heel, was invited to the alternate training facility at Schaumburg last week after playing in a summer college league.
“Oh, it’s incredible,” Burger said. “This is exactly what I need. Just get some reps and feeling good and playing baseball every single day.”
Burger, who first tore the Achilles running out a ground ball during spring training in 2018, has a large following of fans rooting for his comeback. During his lengthy recovery, he opened up about battling depression.
“It’s been a long journey,” he said Monday. “I had some momentum going into spring training, was feeling good, and then me and [director of player development Chris Getz] sat down, and I’m like, ‘I’m done feeling sorry for myself. I’m going to crush it from here on out. We are just going to get after it and get out there.’ ’’
With the Sox set at third base for the foreseeable future, Burger said he is willing to get acclimated to the outfield.
Moncada must ‘push himself’
Moncada has been playing with what manager Rick Renteria described as leg soreness and fatigue, and while asking his talented third baseman “to be very controlled when he’s moving out there,” Renteria also stressed the need for players to push through on days they’re not 100%.
“When you’re in a situation where we are at — we’re really moving forward as a club, as an organization — the men have to understand what the game requires of you even when you don’t feel how you want to feel,” Renteria said. “It’s the desire and impulse to continue to play and grind through what you are feeling from a physical standpoint because your team needs you.
“[Moncada] has to continue to grind, continue to push himself.”