The long-awaited cast of reinforcements should start to join the White Sox as soon as Tuesday night.
Third baseman Yoan Moncada could start when he’s eligible to return from the 10-day injured list. Manager Tony La Russa said he had a lengthy chat with Moncada, who has been sidelined with a right hamstring strain.
“It would be nice to get Yoan in there and get some muscle in the middle of that lineup,” La Russa said.
A more curious situation involves outfielder Eloy Jimenez, who has been relegated to designated-hitter duties since resuming his minor-league rehab assignment at Triple-A Charlotte. Jimenez, who is 4-for-21, told La Russa recently he felt good but has yet to play in the outfield after missing two weeks because of discomfort in his surgically repaired right hamstring.
“I just want to see Eloy,” La Russa said. “I want him hitting in the middle of our lineup with that ability to drive in important runs. But only if he’s healthy, right? Can’t rush it.”
Lopez still dreams of starting
Reynaldo Lopez’s 14-strikeout performance against the Tigers three years ago raised attention regarding his ability as a starting pitcher.
Lopez yearns to start in the future and said he is a more complete pitcher since his career-high strikeout game.
“If you check that outing, 13 of the 14 batters I struck out with fastballs and just one slider,” Lopez said of his outing on April 28, 2019, when he pitched six innings in a 4-1 victory. “Now I’m a better pitcher. I have better command of my fastball, and my slider is way better. I can locate all pitches, especially my fastball in and out, high and low.
“Wherever I want to locate that pitch, that’s a game-changer. You have that confidence now you can throw your pitches in any count and execute them. My pitches are better now. They’re sharper now, and that’s the difference.”
As of now, Lopez, 28, is too valuable to move from the bullpen. He hasn’t allowed a run in his last 11 innings covering eight games, including one appearance as an opener. Lopez has limited opponents to a .188 average with runners on base. They’re batting .083 (1-for-12) with runners in scoring position with two out and .212 (7-for-33) with runners in scoring position.
Lopez acknowledged that he is pitching more aggressively as a reliever and has appreciated the tips given to him at the start of the season by fellow reliever Kendall Graveman, such as game-planning and studying the strengths and weaknesses of opposing batters more closely.
Juggling act
Adam Haseley felt ill and didn’t start, so Josh Harrison made his first start in left field but had no chances in seven innings. Harrison has made 53 career starts in left, including three with the Athletics in 2021.
“We told him, ‘We put you in for your offense,’ ” La Russa said.
Harrison responded with two hits.
