CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 26: Eloy Jimenez #74 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates as he crosses ... [+]
Eloy Jimenez is trending toward a quicker-than-expected recovery from the ruptured left pectoral tendon he suffered late in spring training, putting his 2021 season in jeopardy. It now seems Jimenez could be back as soon as late July, which could allow the White Sox to use their trade deadline ammunition on complementary parts, not a headliner.
The White Sox are in go-for-it mode but have been hit by a run of injuries that sidelined Jimenez, center fielder Luis Robert (torn hip flexor) and second baseman Nick Madrigal (torn right hamstring). That’s one-third of their projected lineup on the injured list yet the Sox enter a series against Tampa Bay with a 41-24 record, second-best in the majors behind the Rays.
The model of computer simulations run by the website baseball-reference.com gives the White Sox a 99.4 percent chance to reach the playoffs and almost a one-in-six chance to win the World Series. Imagine what Jimenez could mean to them in August, September and October.
A 24-year-old left fielder-DH, Jimenez has yet to play a full season in the big leagues. But he’s shown elite power, producing 45 home runs, 120 RBIs and an .848 OPS in 177 games on the South Side. He slots into the middle of a lineup that includes veterans Jose Abreu, Yasmani Grandal and Tim Anderson.
General Manager Rick Hahn hinted last Thursday that Jimenez and Robert were getting to the point where the team might have good news for fans. The team issued an official update on Jimenez on Monday.
“White Sox outfielder Eloy Jiménez has been medically cleared to resume baseball activities at the White Sox complex in Glendale, Ariz.,’’ the statement said. “This phase of the rehabilitation process is estimated to take a minimum of four weeks, after which Jiménez could be cleared for a rehabilitation assignment with a Sox affiliate. There remains no set timetable for Jiménez’ return to the major league club.”
There was no update on Roberts, who suffered his injury on May 1. The initial report was he’d be sidelined 12-16 weeks, making it possible he could return as early as August 1. Robert has more work to do with his rehabilitation before he will be cut loose to begin baseball activities.
"Their trajectories are both good, and we remain optimistic on both returning at some point this year,’’ Hahn said last week. “Ultimately, on both players, just sort of manage what is coming next.’’
Madrigal’s return seems more clouded. He was placed on the 60-day injured list after tearing his right hamstring. The White Sox appear to be taking a cautious approach with him as they assess whether he will need surgery.
White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf invested heavily in free agents with an eye on winning a championship. The Opening Day payroll was $128.7 million, according to the website Cot’s Baseball Contracts. That’s a franchise record but the team is studying additions it can make before the July 31 trade deadline.
Manager Tony La Russa has leaned into the versatility of players like Leury Garcia and Danny Mendick, and has received a lift from center fielder Adam Engel, who had been sidelined until last week. The positive outlook on Jimenez’s return could make it easier to use resources on adding a table-setter to fill in for Madrigal.
One possibility that has been reported by Sirius XM’s
