CHICAGO -- Third baseman Yoán Moncada looks ready to start Friday in the 2020 White Sox season opener against the Twins.

Of course, that decision is based solely on Moncada's stellar performance at the plate and especially in the field during his team's 5-3 victory over the Cubs on Monday night at Guaranteed Rate Field. It was Moncada's first in-game appearance after being sidelined since the start of Summer Camp due to a positive test for COVID-19. He returned to the team this past Thursday.

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“Overall, I feel good, decent. I think my timing is not there yet,” Moncada said through interpreter Billy Russo. “That's something that I'm going to get with repetition and more games and more at-bats.

“Just getting more repetition, and I know I'm going to get my timing right on track. That's something I will get by getting more at-bats. And that's what I need right now. I’m pretty confident. I'm not so far behind.”

Moncada singled home Tim Anderson in the first against Yu Darvish, when the White Sox had the first five hitters reach base and score, capped off by Eloy Jiménez's grand slam.

Moncada lined out to second baseman Nico Hoerner in the second inning, and he was called out on strikes against reliever James Norwood in the fifth.

There also were four strong defensive plays made by Moncada, taking hits away from Javier Báez in the first and Albert Almora Jr. leading off the third. Moncada also snatched an extra-base hit from Kris Bryant with a play down the line to open the fourth. Those plays provided great support for White Sox starter Dallas Keuchel, who recorded nine outs via the ground ball in his five innings.

“I was a little surprised, but again, he's one of the most athletic guys on the field at any point in time,” Keuchel said of Moncada’s return from the extended absence. “He has those fresh legs under him. I would say I was surprised, but it is Moncada. We expect a lot out of him, and he expects a lot of himself.”

The victory over the Cubs -- the White Sox won both Crosstown exhibition games -- marked Moncada's first foray into facing live pitching since his return. One final intrasquad game awaits the White Sox on Tuesday, covering five or six innings, and manager Rick Renteria plans to give Moncada plenty of at-bats.

How Moncada responds to Monday's five innings of action and the added work could be crucial in moving Moncada toward Opening Day.

“I'm going to answer you the way I answered [general manager Rick Hahn], who asked me that same question. Tomorrow will tell me a lot,” Renteria said before Monday's matchup. “He's going to get quite a few at-bats tomorrow. He'll do a little work with [bench coach Joe McEwing], taking some ground balls, continue his throwing program, and we'll have a much better picture after the game tomorrow.

“We're moving optimistically, cautiously, and we will certainly have a better idea getting into Wednesday's game. [Tuesday], we'll see how the work goes, see how he responds from tonight's bit of work and have a much, much clearer picture as to how we can proceed. Hopefully, I can give you some information that is both positive and exciting but still measured.”

Even if Moncada starts on Friday, Renteria cautioned against expecting him to play even three or four days in a row without having the Summer Camp work time everyone else has. But having Moncada ready to go against the Twins remains the present focus.

“He expects to be there Opening Day,” Keuchel said. “This was a really good start to the second preseason for him.”

“I feel good,” Moncada said. “I just need to keep preparing, keep doing all the stuff I've been doing to get ready and to get in the best shape possible for Friday. I'm on a good path for that. So far, I feel pretty good.”