CHICAGO -- Nicky Delmonico let out a scream loud enough to be heard on the White Sox television broadcast when the left fielder was hit by a Matt Moore pitch in the second inning of Friday's 12-5 loss to the Rangers at Guaranteed Rate Field.
That instant burst of pain eventually turned into a trip to the 10-day disabled list via a fractured third metacarpal on his right hand. The left fielder figures to be sidelined from four to six weeks and talked about the unfortunate mishap prior to Saturday's contest.
"I knew I was in trouble when I couldn't take my batting glove off. So it definitely didn't feel good," Delmonico said. "It was tough yesterday, going in getting X-rays, and seeing the look on the doctor's face when he told me.
"It was tough then, but today is 'What's forward?' and 'What can I do?' Just let it rest and come back and get ready."
Delmonico, 25, is hitting .224 with four doubles, one triple, one home run, seven RBIs and 16 walks over 37 games this season, his second with the White Sox and first full season with the big league team. He's a galvanizing, upbeat clubhouse presence and intends to be around as much as possible.
"I love these guys," said Delmonico, who added the swelling on his right hand approached golf-ball size. "These guys are like my brothers, so I'm gonna do everything I can to stay around them."
Injuries to Delmonico and Avisail Garcia have left the White Sox outfield at Leury Garcia, Adam Engel, Trayce Thompson and Daniel Palka, with infielder Jose Rondon called up from Triple-A Charlotte to take Delmonico's roster spot. Yolmer Sanchez has been talked about as an outfield possibility, but the Delmonico injury won't force any sort of move.
"We want to put him out there to have a chance of doing what he's capable of doing," said White Sox manager Rick Renteria of Sanchez. "It would require some work and it's in the infancy, but it may push us to start letting him work out there, sure."
Covey returns
The move of Carson Fulmer from the White Sox rotation to Charlotte following Friday's third straight rough outing allowed Dylan Covey to return to the White Sox. Covey figures to start Wednesday against the Orioles, although that starter is listed by the team as TBA with the right-hander available to pitch Saturday.
"I feel really good. I know what I need to do," Covey said. "I know this level now after spending some time here last year. So I just need to go out there and not change anything that I've been doing my past few outings."
Covey, 26, who is 0-8 lifetime with a 7.58 ERA in 19 big league games and 13 starts, made his only appearance with the White Sox this season as the starter in Game 2 of a doubleheader on April 28 at Kansas City. He took the loss after allowing four runs on seven hits over six innings, but has gone 3-1 with a 2.33 ERA, 35 strikeouts over 38 2/3 innings and a .232 opponents average in seven starts with Charlotte.
Charlotte pitching coach Steve McCatty and Covey have worked on driving more toward home plate instead of drifting down the mound.
"So, made a couple of adjustments and it's really worked for me," Covey said. "Whatever they have me do, I'm ready."
Fulmer will benefit from change
It's difficult to convince a hard-working, intense competitor such has Fulmer that a trip to the Minors in the short term will benefit him in the long run. But Fulmer will adjust and learn when he arrives, according to Renteria.
"He'll look in the mirror and go, 'You know what? I got things I can work on. I'll settle in and get over this initial bump and get to work,'" Renteria said. "Those are the guys that end up giving themselves a chance to return sooner rather than later and have success."