White Sox third baseman Yoan Moncada has rejoined the club after a stint on the injured list, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports. Moncada had been on the IL since July 10. The reason for Moncada’s IL placement was not disclosed at the time, but he announced Thursday that he tested positive for COVID-19 (via Merkin).
Right-hander Jose Ruiz, whom the White Sox placed on the IL alongside Moncada, has also returned. He’ll head to Schaumburg, Ill., to join Chicago’s taxi squad.
Manager Rick Renteria isn’t sure whether Moncada will have enough time to prepare himself for Opening Day on July 24, per James Fegan of The Athletic. The White Sox will make a decision on that in the next two or three days. Regardless, it’s welcome news for the White Sox and the sport that Moncada’s back to health. The 25-year-old broke out last season with a .315/.367/.548 line (141 wRC+), 25 home runs, 10 stolen bases and 5.7 fWAR in 559 plate appearances. If the White Sox are finally going to return to contention sometime soon, it stands to reason he’ll play a major role in their success.
The hard-throwing Ruiz, also 25, tossed 40 innings for Chicago in 2019, but he had trouble keeping opposing offenses at bay. All told, Ruiz registered a 5.63 ERA/5.36 FIP with 7.88 K/9 and 5.4 BB/9.
Dark horse candidate for A.L. MVP
So glad to have him back!! Maybe not MVP, but if he makes the same jump this year that he made last year, it’s not crazy to discuss the possibility!
Given that the season is 60 games, literally anyone can win MVP
White Sox players finish #1, #2, #3 in MVP voting.
Could be any of 5 guys!
MVP and ROY Luis Robert
Always happy to read that players are coming back from this thing.
Totally with you there! Hope The White Sox are careful with him… we still know so little about potential long term damages. He certainly has the potential to be a very exciting player to watch for a long, long time.
Let’s hope everyone recovers and stays in good health
Fun intrasquad battle tonight. Cease sharp and Madrigal doing all the key things (hitting to vacated hole, tagging from 1B on Robert…..and perfect peg to nail runner at home yesterday).
Encarnacion bringing out the parrot twice was fun.
What an exciting, young team Chicago is putting together. This is the year they begin to overtake the Cubs as the best team in Chicago and if they can stay healthy, they should start competing for a title by 2022 (if there is a 2022 season). Let’s hope the Kopech situation works itself out and he comes to camp healthy (both mentally and physically) next year. He’s a big piece of the puzzle for the upstart White Sox. Who knows, with only 60 games this season if the Chi Sox can get hot, they could push for the AL Central title this year and give a team or two a run for their money in the playoffs too. IMO, they need a couple more years of experience and roster tweaks to become a dominant force in the AL, capable of winning it all.
Rip
Dylan Cease was filthy in that game, if he can sustain something close to that form this season I’m sure your CWS can make it to the PS. Btw- I’m still not 100% sure that was the real Giolito on live chat last night but it was hilarious watching everyone change their minds on that: tons of ppl were slagging him until the broadcast began talking about his presence on live streams! The tone sure changed after that haha Good luck this yr CWS fans
CWS putting together a nice young team. Could give Twins a challenge this year for the division.