CHICAGO -- It looks as if Yoán Moncada will be hitting second in the White Sox potent lineup and playing third base for Friday's 2020 season opener against the Twins at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Moncada returned to Summer Camp on Thursday after testing positive for COVID-19 during the pre-camp intake process. He played five innings Monday night during an exhibition against the Cubs, recording one hit and making four stellar defensive plays, then he responded well during Tuesday morning's team workout.

"Having extensive conversations through the whole process today, he looks good. He feels good," said White Sox manager Rick Renteria. "He says that he feels better than he thought he would feel. He looked very well last night in the ballgame, moving around, reacting very well. Had some nice at-bats.

"We'll continue to just roll along positively, keeping positive thoughts moving into Opening Day. And I would anticipate that he will be there obviously, unless there's some unforeseen situation that arises. I think he's going to be good enough to be with us."

Extensive offseason leg work put in by Moncada to help avoid hamstring injuries probably helped in his quick comeback. Moncada ran the bases during the White Sox five-run first as part of their 6-3 victory Monday, but he understands that he has to be careful with everything as he moves forward.

"They haven't told me anything, but I know that I need to be smart. I know that I need to go step by step," said Moncada through interpreter Billy Russo. "I know how it feels. I know all the steps that I have to take. It's going to be step by step. I know that the goal is to be ready for when the season starts, be ready for Friday. That is what I'm working on."

Mazara still absent
Right fielder Nomar Mazara is still a little under the weather but has not been ruled out for Opening Day, said Renteria.

"Not yet, not yet," Renteria said. "As soon as I have more information on how he's doing, if we can share, we will. What I can share, we will. He's still a little bit under the weather."

Adam Engel is an option for right field if needed, as is Leury García. García is projected as the team's starting second baseman, with Nick Madrigal, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, also in the mix.

Third to first
• Many of the White Sox players were not required to come to Guaranteed Rate Field on Tuesday, giving them a day off prior to Wednesday's final exhibition game at home against the Brewers. The whole team will have an off-day Thursday prior to Friday's season opener.

• Dylan Cease and Reynaldo López, who figure to be slotted third and fourth in the White Sox rotation, respectively, threw during live batting practice Tuesday.

"They faced a few hitters, got up and down five times, I think it was," Renteria said. "Continued to work, make sure they are keeping the pitch counts up, working on some other pitches. They are ready to go."

• Renteria said the 30-man Opening Day roster is pretty much set, aside from a few decisions to still be figured out. Young right-handed hurlers such as Dane Dunning, Jimmy Lambert and Codi Heuer, who have all impressed during Summer Camp, could figure into that mix.

"Tomorrow should be a pretty exciting day for a couple of guys, possibly, and then just solidifying the 30 that are going to break," Renteria said. "So many adjustments are going to be made over the course of the next month or so, but right now, we have a pretty good idea."

They said it
"If we truly say everybody has the right -- as I've heard many people say -- if everybody says we truly have the right, like to wear a mask or not wear a mask, then everybody should have the right to express themselves respectfully on things that affect us societally." -- Renteria, on supporting his players kneeling during the national anthem or any form of peaceful protest

"You guys see how well he works. He's not afraid, hits his spots. He'll be able to keep us in ballgames. He's been around the block. He knows what he's doing." -- Renteria, on Dallas Keuchel, the team's No. 2 starter

"They gave us that freedom to allow us to be ourselves, play the way we want to play and allow us to have fun. That's the best way you are going to get the most out of each and every guy in that lineup. Just let us play, let us have fun, let us do work. And we are going to give you everything we got." -- Shortstop Tim Anderson, on the White Sox front office allowing this young core to grow together

Up next
The White Sox conclude their exhibition slate Wednesday night at 7:10 p.m. CT when they host the Brewers at Guaranteed Rate Field. Carlos Rodón, who underwent Tommy John surgery on May 18, 2019, will start for Chicago. Catch the action live on MLB.TV or listen on Gameday Audio.