DETROIT — Eloy Jimenez completed his rehab assignment with Double-A Birmingham Friday and will join the White Sox in Detroit for Sunday’s game against the Tigers.
Manager Pedro Grifol indicated Saturday that Jimenez could be back as soon as Sunday when the team wraps up a four-game series. A source confirmed to the Sun-Times that would be the case.
The Sox (22-32) can use a bump from the 2020 Silver Slugger Award winner after getting held to four hits in a 7-3 loss to the Tigers Saturday. After losing for just the third time in their last nine games, they need a win Sunday for a series split against Detroit (24-26). Jimenez will be in the lineup against Tigers left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez.
When Jimenez underwent an emergency appendectomy May 6 in Cincinnati, he indicated early on he would return sooner than the projected 4-6 weeks. He played in his third rehab assignment game with Double-A Birmingham Friday, going 1-for-3 with three walks and two RBI.
Grifol plans to play Jimenez more in right field than he did before the appendectomy. Jake Burger filled in at Jimenez’ designated hitter spot and owns a team-high .906 OPS with 10 homers, and the Sox want to keep Burger’s bat in the lineup.
The left-handed hitting Gavin Sheets and Clint Frazier are also in the right field mix with Jimenez.
Following surgery, Jimenez “had his mind right,” Grifol said.
“He wanted to come back and be a part of this. We want him to be a part of this. He was pushing, we were pushing. He’s done a great job with his rehab, not only physically but mentally.”
Status quo for Hendriks
Grifol offered no new insight as to when closer Liam Hendriks will return. Hendriks, working his way back after a bout with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, threw well facing live hitters Friday.
“Threw the ball good yesterday and we’re discussing as an organization to see when he’s going to be activated,” Grifol said.
“He feels great, especially after yesterday.”
Sore subject
Ask shortstop Tim Anderson how his left knee is feeling and a terse reply can be expected.
“Nobody cares, it’s good though,” Anderson said. “Nobody wants to hear about it, we’re good. Let’s not make it a topic.”
Anderson sprained his knee April 10 in Minnesota and was 23-for-99 with no extra base hits since coming off the IL May 2. He reached base five times with four singles Friday, then was 0-for-4 Saturday. He is looking for his first home run of the season.
Rest for Robert Jr.
Luis Robert Jr. was given a day off after a night game, three days after missing a game in Cleveland with a sore quad.
“He had that little hiccup in Cleveland,” Grifol said. “He’s played a lot. When he plays he runs more than anybody because he’s a center fielder. Every ball that’s hit to the corners, you’ve seen how much ground he’s covering. He was on pace to play 157, 158 games. That’s way too much.”
This and that
*Elvis Andrus started his rehab assignment with Charlotte Saturday and is expected to return later next week, Grifol said.
*Mike Clevinger (wrist inflammation) threw a bullpen and is slated to face live hitters Monday. He’s expected to come off the IL Friday.
