Eloy Jimenez off to torrid start in rehab assignment as return to White Sox nears
By John Buhler
Eloy Jimenez will be the second-half boost the Chicago White Sox need to win the AL pennant.
With the Chicago White Sox firmly in first place atop the AL Central standings at the All-Star Break, they should be getting a huge boost in the second half once injured left fielder Eloy Jimenez returns to the lineup.
Jimenez missed the entire first half of the 2021 MLB season while working his way back from a pectoral injury he suffered in spring training. While a second-half return is nearing, White Sox fans should be ecstatic about how well he has played during his rehab assignments. He reached base in his first three plate appearances on Sunday for the Single-A Winston-Salem Dash.
Jimenez also went 2-for-4 at the plate on Saturday for the Dash with a two-run home run.
Chicago White Sox: Eloy Jimenez is off to a hot start in his rehab assignment
Jimenez first joined Winston-Salem in his rehab on Friday, July 9. In his first two games with the Dash, he only served as Winston-Salem’s designated hitter.
On Sunday, he made his triumphant return to the field after having torn his pectoral muscle trying to rob Sean Murphy of the Oakland Athletics from hitting a home run back on March 24. He did commit an error in left field Sunday.
Chicago holds a comfortable eight-game lead over the Cleveland Indians in the AL Central race at the All-Star Break. The White Sox have the best record in the American League by percentage points over the Boston Red Sox and the Houston Astros. Should Jimenez be able to return to his normal self, Chicago has the roster in place to get to the ALCS and possibly win the World Series.
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