Jimenez goes on IL; Grossman in right
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Five days after straining his left adductor running out a grounder, Eloy Jimenez landed on the 10-day injured list.
The move to the IL is retroactive to April 2, so Jimenez can return after the road trip that concludes Wednesday in Cleveland. The Sox open a homestand against the Reds next Friday.
The Sox were hopeful Jimenez would only need a few days to get well but surrendered to the reality Friday.
The contract of veteran switch-hitting outfielder Robbie Grossman was purchased from Triple-A Charlotte, and Grossman started against the Royals in right field.
“He was going good, so there was an opportunity there, but there wasn’t any progress,” manager Pedro Grifol said before the game at Kauffman Stadium. “There comes a point where you have to make a decision, right? We tried it for three days, so now we just slow it down and make sure he gets his seven days and get it right. Let’s just get it right, so that when he comes back, we don’t go through this again.”
Grossman, 34, was 4-for-10 with two home runs in three games with Charlotte.
Jimenez, who was 2-for-11 after having a good spring, has never played more than 122 games in a season because of injury and health problems. He spoke of his most recent injury Thursday.
“It is frustrating, you know?” he said after taking batting practice.
“Sometimes I want to go home, but I don’t want to give up like that. I’m going to keep working. I’m going to be here for my team.”
The Sox, who were last in the majors in runs last season, scored 12 in their first six games, the lowest output for the franchise since 1969. So losing Jimenez is no small deal.
“He’s our four-hole hitter, he’s got a proven track record; he’s a good hitter; he stretches our lineup out,” Grifol said. “He protects [Luis] Robert. There’s a lot to it. Just got to get him ready.”
Grossman reports for duty
Grossman signed with the Sox as a minor-league free agent March 22.
He got the nod in right over Dominic Fletcher and will be the designated hitter against left-handers with Kevin Pillar playing right field while Jimenez is out, Grifol said.
“I’m going to put our best lineup on the field that helps us win that day,” Grifol said.
“Whatever the manager tells me,” Grossman said.
“I’ve been in this long enough to know, you show up every day with a good attitude, ready to work, and your play will dictate what happens throughout the year.”
Grossman spent the 2023 season with the Rangers and hit .238 with 10 homers, 23 doubles, 49 RBI and 56 runs scored in 115 games.
This and that
Right-hander Alex Speas was designated for assignment to make room for Grossman on the 40-man roster.
† The Sox were 4-for-32 with runners in scoring position, last in the majors, through Thursday.
† Assistant general manager Josh Barfield, play-by-play announcer John Schriffen and four players from the Sox’ Amateur City Elite program will visit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City on Saturday.