PITTSBURGH -- Reinstated from the 10-day disabled list, second baseman Yoan Moncada was back in the lineup on Tuesday, giving the White Sox a needed boost as they opened a two-game series against the Pirates at PNC Park. He was activated off the disabled list and took the spot of infielder Jose Rondon, who was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte.
The 23-year-old Moncada went on DL May 5 with tightness in his left hamstring. With an .868 OPS through his first 29 games this season, Moncada has been a bright spot for a White Sox club that is tied for the slowest start after 37 games (10-27) in club history.
Moncada hit leadoff in his return, a 7-0 loss to the Pirates. He went 1-for-4 with an eighth-inning single.
"It's very good for us," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "Working through the hamstring spasms, through the rigors, he was able to do everything really well. So we're really happy to have him back. Just prior to going down, he was starting to pick it up and swing the bat very, very well. Getting him back in the lineup, it's a good thing for all of us."
In 17 games before the injury, Moncada had 5 home runs, 12 RBIs, nine walks and a 1.067 OPS. The 22-year-old said he made the most of his layoff.
"I was trying to pay attention," Moncada said through an interpreter. "I was in a different place and I had a chance to see the game in a different way. I was trying to learn different things. I was trying to realize how I could approach different situations. But I prefer to be in the game."
Fulmer moved back a day
Right-hander Carson Fulmer's scheduled start on Wednesday in Pittsburgh has been moved back to Thursday at home against the Rangers. Left-hander Hector Santiago will start against the Pirates instead.
"We basically wanted to give him another day of recovery," Renteria said of Fulmer, who lasted 1 2/3 innings against the Cubs on Friday, yielding three hits, four walks and five earned runs. Renteria said the move was "not necessarily" related to that start.
"It has more to do with us wanting to insert Hector here more than anything," Renteria said.

Davidson out in NL park
With 11 homers, 24 RBIs and a .974 OPS, Matt Davidson is off to a flying start in the South Siders' lineup.
But so far this season, Davidson has mostly been the designated hitter, which is not available in National League ballparks. Although Davidson has started six games at third base (as well as five at first), Renteria went with switch-hitting Yolmer Sanchez, the White Sox regular third baseman who has an .880 OPS and all of his 13 extra-base hits and 19 RBIs against right-handers. The Pirates started right-hander Trevor Williams, who started the regular season well.
"I think it gives us an opportunity for [Sanchez] to put his best side of the plate in the box," Renteria said. "Right now, honestly, its about trying to get the best matchup I can against [Williams]. Lefties seem to have a better chance of doing something."