CHICAGO -- Eloy Jiménez still would like to primarily play left field for the American League Central-leading White Sox, even after missing the previous four games due to right groin tightness.

That injury, sustained while running to first base in Kansas City, followed a 99-game absence due to surgery that repaired a left pectoral tendon rupture suffered at the end of Spring Training and an ensuing three-game return. But Jiménez is just happy to be back contributing, hitting fourth at designated hitter in Tuesday’s series opener against the Royals at Guaranteed Rate Field.

“I feel like I can play out there [in left field], but it's not my decision now. But I feel good to play outfield,” Jiménez said after batting practice. “I'm very happy that I'm here, first. So whatever they decide to do, I'm happy. But I'm still not happy being DH. In this situation, I understand.”

There will be no DH this weekend when the White Sox play three Interleague games against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, marking the site of Jiménez’s most famous home run coming in the ninth inning off Pedro Strop in a 3-1 victory on June 18, 2019. So Jiménez should get a couple of games in left field, believing the groin injury should not linger.

“It's over, but I just need to make sure that everything is right. I don't want to go back again to the [injured] list,” Jiménez said. “I need to be really, really smart. But that doesn't mean that I don't need to play hard. I'm going to figure it out later.”

“The smart thing here is to build in game conditions, not just drills, try to build some stamina and strength,” manager Tony La Russa said. “I told him, run at a comfortable pace. If it’s really critical, I’ll pinch-run for you. Don’t try to stretch things into a double. We talk about not coaching the aggressiveness out of a player, but you’ve got to be careful.”

As for why the AL Silver Slugger Award winning left fielder doesn’t like simply serving as DH, it’s about being more into the game when also playing defensively.

“I’m feeling more in the game, and I like to talk with the fans and all that,” Jiménez said. “When I'm DH, I can't do anything like that. If you don't play and you are DHing, sometimes it's boring, for me, not for other guys. But for me it's boring. It is what it is right now.”

Zavala’s HR connection

Seby Zavala now has the baseball from all three historic home runs launched on Saturday night, making him the first in AL/NL history to hit his first three career homers in a single game and the first catcher in franchise history to hit three in one game. He already had the ball from his first homer to center and a grand slam to follow, but unbeknownst to him, his third home run hit to right was returned.

That ball was caught by a young fan, who received a signed bat from José Abreu in exchange. Having Abreu on your side always helps the cause.

“Especially with the way the fans in Chicago love Abreu. It’s amazing to watch,” Zavala told MLB.com on Tuesday. “I found out the next day. Everything was already done by the time I got the ball. I didn’t have to do much. I’m happy the kid let me have the ball back and I’m glad He got a good gift.”

Although it has been three days since the liftoff, Zavala is still processing his long ball prowess.

“It still really hasn’t kicked in,” Zavala said. “I’m happy it happened in the big leagues. Imagine if it happened in the Minor Leagues? It would have been great but not as fun as up here.

“Just trying to put together good at-bats. I had a terrible night before. Just trying to put some competitive at-bats together. Trying to put some runs across for the team. Fortunately, I was able to put those just over the line.”

Third to first

• Ken "Hawk" Harrelson, the iconic White Sox television voice for 33 years, will throw out a ceremonial first pitch prior to Wednesday’s game. Harrelson was honored on July 24 as the 2020 Ford C. Frick recipient.

• Right-hander Tyler Johnson and the White Sox agreed to terms on a 2022 Minor League contract, as announced by the team on Tuesday. Johnson was released to make room for Cesar Hernandez on the 40-man roster.

He said it

“My job is to handle this [pitching] staff and make sure their game goes as smooth as possible. Whatever I can do with the bat to help the team is a bonus.” -- Zavala