Center fielder Luis Robert and Yasmani Grandal returned to the White Sox lineup after missing two and three games with a sore right hand and back, respectively, but a big bat was missing Friday when the Sox opened a three game series against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Third baseman Yoan Moncada was out after appearing to be less than 100 percent in recent days.
“Just managing his legs a little bit,” manager Rick Renteria said. “You guys have seen him kind of grinding it out a little bit. Maybe this will just calm it down and we’ll be able to get him back in there tomorrow, maybe use him for a special at-bat or something today. That’s basically all it is.”
Moncada was batting .266/.352./468 with five home runs. He was batting .185 with two homers and nine RBI in his last eight games and .211 with three homers and 10 RBI in his last 15.
Renteria didn’t specify the nature of Moncada’s soreness, but Moncada, who started late during summer camp because of a positive coronavirus test, has dealt with hamstring issues throughout his career.
“With Yoán absolutely, we’re constantly keeping our eye on how he’s moving around the bases and how he’s reacting,” Renteria said.
“These guys are very strong and they can push themselves and maybe I can just help them kind of calm it down a little bit, let those legs cool off a little bit.”
Ryan Goins started at third base.
Robert won’t back down
Robert said he was worried after hurting his hand diving for a ball Tuesday, and how it would feel the next day but said he didn’t feel any pain, although Renteria didn’t play him for two games.
In any event, Robert said he wasn’t considering the fact the Sox were ahead by five runs when he made the dive, coming up about a foot short.
“When you have a chance to make a play you’re not thinking about how many runs you’re up or down,” he said through translator Billy Russo. “You’re just trying to do your job, you’re trying to catch the ball. You’re also not thinking that, ‘OK, if I five here I’m going to get hurt.’ Not that’s not in your mind. For me, I’m just trying to do what I know I can do, I’m always trying to catch every flyball in my range.”
Lopez Saturday?
There was no announcement of the Saturday starter but Reynaldo Lopez is the likely choice And left-hander Gio Gonzalez, who has made four starts and one relief appearance, could relieve Lopez, who has been out with a sore shoulder and would probably be limited to two, three or four innings depending on his pitch count.
“Absolutely, that’s a possibility,” Renteria said.
Saturday would be Gonzalez’ turn to start.
