White Sox announce Jimenez is out 2-3 weeks with hamstring strain
With Eloy Jimenez, it's become a question of when, not if.
When is he going to get hurt again?
When is he going to be able to come off the injured list?
During his rookie season with the White Sox in 2019, Jimenez twice landed on the IL with ankle and shoulder issues.
He missed the first four months of the 2021 season with a torn left pectoral tendon.
Last year, Jimenez was sidelined for more than two months with a torn right hamstring tendon.
Over the winter, he worked hard on his body and reported to spring training almost 30 pounds lighter.
"If I'm healthy, I can do anything," Jimenez said.
That's a big if and, as fate would have it, he's back on the injured list.
Before Wednesday afternoon's game against the Giants at Guaranteed Rate Field, the Sox announced Jimenez is expected to miss 2-3 weeks with a low-grade left hamstring strain.
Jimenez got hurt again running from first base to third in the seventh inning of Monday's 12-3 loss to San Francisco in the White Sox's home opener.
"It's one of those things," Sox manager Pedro Grifol said. "He worked hard this off-season, he put the work in, he put the time in. He's in great shape. It's just one those things that happens, unfortunately.
"But the good thing is today he came in and he felt strong. We're extremely optimistic he's going to be available for us here in the near future."
Grifol spoke with Jimenez Wednesday morning in the White Sox's weight room.
"He feels better than what anybody else thought he was going to feel like," Grifol said. "He feels good, obviously not good enough to play, but good enough after going through any type of hamstring issue. I think the harder you work in the off-season the better you're prepared to withstand something like this.
"I think his work this off-season has put him in the position to recover from this thing pretty quickly. And just the fact he came in today and felt pretty good, that's a really good sign."
In 5 games this season, Jimenez is batting .211 (4-for-19) with 2 doubles, 3 RBI and 3 walks.
Hendriks rings the bell:
In an Instagram video posted Wednesday, all-star White Sox closer Liam Hendriks said he completed his final round of chemotherapy for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Hendriks rang a bell to celebrate the achievement.
"These past five months have been both the quickest and slowest of my life," he said. "Being able to ring this victory bell has been one of the most emotional things I've ever done. You never think you will be the one who hears, 'You have cancer,' but there I was, in shock and fear not knowing what comes next."
There is no timeline on Hendriks' return to the Sox's bullpen, but late May or early June seem to be target dates.
Burger up:
With Eloy Jimenez back on the injured list, the White Sox recalled infielder Jake Burger from Class AAA Charlotte.
Burger played 51 games with the Sox last season and hit .250/.302/.458 with 8 home runs and 26 RBI.
The White Sox's first-round draft choice (No. 11 overall) in 2017, Burger had 4 home runs and 9 RBI in 23 Cactus League games.
"When I sent Burger down, I told him he was a major-league hitter," manager Pedro Grifol said. "That was one of the hardest send downs I've ever had in my career, that's including minor leagues and everything. But he's up here now and he's going to be a part of this process and a part of our lineup."
Burger is a natural third baseman, but he was playing first at Charlotte and can also DH when needed.
"I'm going to play the game hard no matter where I'm at," Burger said. "Just stay ready and take care of my work like always and that's the type of guy I'm going to be always. Working as hard as I can and whenever they need me, I'm here."