Injuries & Moves: Pham returns; Leasure, DeLoach optioned
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June 14: OF Tommy Pham activated from 10-day injured list; RHP Chad Kuhl's contract selected from Triple-A Charlotte; OF Zach DeLoach and RHP Jordan Leasure optioned to Charlotte
Leasure, a rookie, pitched in high-leverage situations for most of the first 2 1/2 months of the 2024 season. He has a 0-2 record, 4.08 ERA, two saves, eight holds and 26 strikeouts over 28 2/3 innings in a team-high 30 relief appearances. However, he had a 10.80 ERA over five games in June and was sent to Triple-A Charlotte to work on his game in a more controlled environment.
Kuhl made 16 appearances (five starts) with the Nationals in 2023 and came to the White Sox as a Minor League free agent with a non-roster invite to Spring Training. He made 13 appearances (11 starts) with Charlotte; in the Majors, he'll wear uniform No. 41.
"It means the world," Kuhl said. "Had some pretty tough months, almost a year now. Just never going to take this opportunity for granted. Try to fulfill whatever role they need me to and enjoy it."
June 13: OF/DH Eloy Jiménez set to begin rehab assignment
Thursday, the White Sox announced that Jiménez would report to their Arizona Complex League squad to begin a rehab assignment. The 27-year-old is on his second IL stint this season, after straining his hamstring on the basepaths on May 21.
“He’s day to day,” manager Pedro Grifol said before Chicago’s series finale in Seattle. “We’ve got to see how they feel the next day. It’s an injury, he’s going to play, after that he’ll get out there and run around and we’ve got to see how he feels the next day. And the next day, we can take the proper steps.”
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Mike Clevinger (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: Early July
Clevinger threw a bullpen session on June 7, but he won't be back for his next rotation turn. He'll need an injury rehab start or two. He had a cortisone shot on May 28. (Last updated: June 14)
DH Eloy Jiménez (left hamstring strain)
Expected return: Late June
Chicago announced that Jiménez would report to Arizona to begin a rehab assignment with the ACL White Sox on June 13. The 27-year-old Jiménez landed on the IL for the second time this season, as he injured his hamstring running from second to home on a single from Corey Julks in the win over the Blue Jays on May 21. (Last updated: June 13)
OF Dominic Fletcher (left shoulder strain)
Expected return: End of June
Fletcher suffered his injury crashing into the wall while taking a home run away from William Contreras during the seventh inning of the June 2 loss at Milwaukee. He estimates his absence at two to three weeks but said it could be sore for up to six weeks. (Last updated: June 4)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Dominic Leone (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: End of July
Leone had a little inflammation in his right elbow at the outset of this injury. His absence was not expected to be an extended one, but he was moved to the 60-day IL on June 11. (Last updated: June 14)
C Max Stassi (left hip inflammation)
Expected return: 2025
Stassi underwent a season-ending left hip surfacing procedure on June 7 at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. He is expected to be ready for Spring Training in 2025. “I really like Stassi,” manager Pedro Grifol said. “I thought his veteran presence was going to be good for us.” (Last updated: June 10)
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)
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)
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)