Eloy Jimenez returning to White Sox lineup MondayDaryl Van Schouwenon July 25, 2021 at 8:57 pm

MILWAUKEE — Eloy Jimenez is ready to return.

The White Sox slugging left fielder has completed his injury rehab stint at Triple-A Charlotte and will be in the lineup Monday when the Sox play the Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

“He’s flying in tonight and I’ll write him in the lineup tomorrow,” manager Tony La Russa said.

“As soon as he walks in the clubhouse, he’s going to light it up with his personality.”

And potentially give the Sox lineup a needed spark. Jimenez, 24, won his first Silver Slugger award last season after ranking second behind AL Most Valuable Player Jose Abreu on the Sox in home runs (14), doubles (14) and RBI (41) and slugging percentage (.559) in 2021.

Jimenez tore his left pectoral muscle leaping over the wall during a Cactus League game in spring training and had surgery to repair the muscle. His recovery has been quicker than expected.

“[Triple-A manager] Wes Helms reports that Eloy is moving well in the outfield so we have the freedom to see what’s best,” La Russa said. “He’ll play as the DH or left fielder, I’m not sure. I understand both [options] are available. I also understand it will be steaming hot in Kansas City all four days so we’ll factor that in.”

Andrew Vaughn has stepped in nicely in left field, learning a new position on the job. La Russa will have the option of using Vaughn or Jimenez in left field and designated hitter. Vaughn is a natural first baseman.

“I don’t think Eloy being here will take at-bats away from Andrew,” La Russa said.

The Sox are 59-40 and leading the AL Central by nine games without Jimenez, center fielder Luis Robert, second baseman Nick Madrigal and catcher Yasmani Grandal. There have been numerous other injuries as well.

“In my career it’s one of the best performances by a team that loses key guys, starting with [Jimenez],” La Russa said. He’s an RBI machine and here we are where we are.”

The Sox, who have lost three straight games, play the Brewers Sunday night looking to salvage the third game of a series after losing 7-1 and 6-1 in the first two games.

“Everybody’s fired up,” La Russa said of Jimenez’s impending return.

“He’s playing the outfield with good movement, he’s throwing, he’s reaching balls defensively, at the plate he’s swinging free and easy,” La Russa said. “It’s going to be more about timing. We’ll know more when we see him ourselves but it’s full speed ahead.”

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