CHICAGO – The White Sox are on the verge of a back injury as outfielder Alloy Jimenez prepares to return to action in the next day or two, manager Tony La Rusa said Tuesday.
Jimenez, 25, was welcomed by teammates after completing a 17-game rehabilitation assignment at White Sox Clubhouse. He has been out since late April after injuring his hamstring while running on first base. With his return the team will slow him down, placing him in the left field and positioned as the assigned hitter.
“He did well enough in the minor leagues to play in the outfield,” La Rusa said. “We will move forward day by day. I don’t know how realistic it is to play with him in the outfield for three days in a row. “
Jimenez has suffered frequent injuries over the past two seasons, breaking a chest muscle in spring training last year and injuring his hamstring this season. His career is 116 ops-plus, but the last two seasons saw only 270 plates.
“The main thing is, he’s a very important person to us, so whatever he has to do to get it right is a high priority,” La Rusa said.
Jimenez scored .246 in 57 at-bats, including two home runs during his rehabilitation career at Triple-A Charlotte before returning to the Big League club.