Injuries & Moves: Robert, Mendick, Moncada progressing
LATEST NEWS
May 13: OF Luis Robert Jr. could soon play in games in Arizona
The All-Star center fielder, sidelined by a right hip flexor strain, could get into games with the White Sox Rookie-level Arizona Complex League team by the end of this week. Those contests would be followed by an injury rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte.
"The first part is just get him running over 90 percent, "said White Sox manager Pedro Grifol. "And then we’ll slowly get him into some games. It’s going to be a little bit of a process.
"You’re talking about a target number for at-bats, making sure he’s seeing the ball good. You’re talking about being able to run out infield base hits, balls in the gap. We’ve got to hit some markers before we put him out here. But he’s coming along really well.”
May 13: INF Danny Mendick (lower back tightness) set to begin rehab assignment
Mendick was placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to May 2 with lower back tightness and will play in a couple of games with Triple-A Charlotte to get back into game routine and action.
"Two days ago I started to feel like, yeah, I’m ready to go," Mendick said. "Going to head down to Charlotte, play a couple of games and then meet back up with the team."
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
OF Luis Robert Jr. (right hip flexor strain)
Expected return: Late May
On April 26, general manager Chris Getz said Robert's return is "not too far off" and "a couple weeks away."
Although he had a brief setback during the ongoing recovery, Robert is beyond that issue and is focused on beginning game play with the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League team this weekend. Manager Pedro Grifol and the organization want him running at 90 percent before moving to game action.
"He’s doing really well," Getz said. "He’s out in Arizona. He’s running, he’s hitting, he’s moving around well, so it’s been really positive.”
"I'm not feeling as bad as I was feeling in 2021," Robert, who suffered a similar but more severe injury in May of '21, said through interpreter Billy Russo after landing on the IL. "It's hard. Last night I couldn't sleep just thinking about that. Out of the whole thing, that's the hardest part." (Last updated: May 13)
INF Danny Mendick (lower back tightness)
Expected return: May 17
Mendick, who hurt himself in the process of lifting something, is expected to play in a couple of games with Triple-A Charlotte this week to get back into game routine and action. He doesn't expect this injury to be a long-term concern.
"It will be quick," Mendick said. "IL stint, and hopefully be ready to go and continue doing what I’m doing." (Last updated: May 13)
RHP Dominic Leone (lower back tightness)
Expected return: At least 15 days
Leone was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 6, retroactive to May 5. The veteran reliever is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA, three holds and 14 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings over 17 appearances this season, his first with the White Sox. (Last updated: May 6)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
3B Yoán Moncada (left adductor strain)
Expected return: Shortly after the All-Star break
While running to first on a ground ball in the top of the second inning on April 9, Moncada doubled over in pain and had to be helped off the field. A day later, he was placed on the injured list with a left adductor strain.
The estimated original recovery time for Moncada was three to six months, the team announced on April 10, but general manager Chris Getz gave a more optimistic return update on April 12. Moncada has hit .282 with three doubles and a triple in 11 games.
"He starts hitting left-handed today," said White Sox manager Pedro Grifol of Moncada on May 13. "He spent the whole week hitting right-handed. I’ve seen videos of him catching some ground balls and doing some drills. He’s coming along. He’s a little further behind [Luis] Robert [Jr.], but he’s also coming along good.” (Last updated: May 13)
C Max Stassi (left hip inflammation)
Expected return: TBD
Stassi, who was transferred to the 60-day IL on April 15, suffered a setback during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte when he was hit in the hand on a hitter's backswing. So, Stassi will need to recover from that, along with his left hip inflammation.
"It's not significant in regards to a fracture, but it slowed it down a little bit," general manager Chris Getz said. "We want to get him to the point where he can catch back-to-back games and his body's recovering before we bring him back.” (Last update: April 15)
RHP Jimmy Lambert (right rotator cuff strain)
Expected return: TBD
Lambert visited Dr. Neal ElAttrache during Spring Training for a second opinion on his shoulder and was able to avoid surgery. He said something was there, but they had a program in place to try to treat it. He was placed on the 60-day IL on March 28. (Last updated: March 28)
LHP Shane Drohan (left shoulder surgery)
Expected return: TBD
The Rule 5 selection, who was taken in the Major League phase of the Draft, had what manager Pedro Grifol described as a nerve decompression. The plan was to have the southpaw start a throwing program right after the end of Spring Training. He was placed on the 60-day IL prior to Opening Day on March 28.
"I was really excited to watch him pitch," Grifol said. "We are excited to be able to identify that, and then to have it be something that we can get through and start that program right at the end of spring." (Last updated: March 28)
RHP Jesse Scholtens (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Early to mid-2025
Scholtens was scheduled to undergo surgery to repair a torn ulnar cruciate ligament in his right elbow on March 1 and is expected to miss the season.
He was placed on the 60-day IL on Feb. 27 to make room for Bailey Horn, acquired from the Cubs. Scholtens was 1-9 with a 5.29 ERA in 26 appearances (11 starts) last season. (Last updated: Feb. 27)
RHP Matt Foster (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Mid-to-late 2024
Foster missed the entire 2023 season due to Tommy John surgery after he had the procedure on April 19. He was placed on the 60-day IL on Feb. 23. (Last updated: Feb. 23)