CHICAGO — Eloy Jiménez went from first to third on Andrew Vaughn’s double to right field in the seventh inning Monday.
The Chicago White Sox outfielder/designated hitter suffered a low-grade left hamstring strain during that sequence. He was placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Tuesday, and will miss an estimated two to three weeks.
“I didn’t really notice anything. I don’t think anybody did until next time at bat,” Sox manager Pedro Grifol said before Wednesday’s game against the San Francisco Giants at Guaranteed Rate Field.
“He had mentioned that he felt a little something in his hamstring and that he could take his at-bat and that he might need a pinch runner, and then at that point in time, there was just no use taking any chances so we erred on the side of caution.”
When healthy, Jiménez is one of the more dangerous hitters in the American League. But he played only 84 games last season after spending more than two months on the injured list after tearing his right hamstring while running to first base in late April. Jiménez played just 55 games in 2021 after rupturing his left pectoral tendon during a Cactus League game.
“It’s one of those things,” Grifol said. “He worked hard this offseason, he put the work in, he put the time in. He’s in great shape. But the good thing is (Wednesday) he came in and he felt strong.
“The most important thing was how he was going to wake up (Wednesday) and walk in here. I saw him, I spoke to him. He’s strong, he feels better than what anybody else thought he was going to feel like. He feels good — obviously not good enough to play — but good enough after going through any type of hamstring issue. We’re optimistic it’s not going to be anything long-term.”
Jiménez is 4 for 20 (.200) with two doubles and three RBIs in five games this season. His strong spring included going 5 for 11 with two RBIs in three World Baseball Classic games for Team Dominican Republic.
“I think the harder you work in the offseason, the better you’re prepared to withstand something like this,” Grifol said. “I think his work this offseason has put him in the position to recover from this thing pretty quickly. I’m looking forward to having him with us in the very near future.”
In the corresponding move, the Sox recalled infielder Jake Burger from Triple-A Charlotte. Burger and Gavin Sheets will be among the designated hitter options for the Sox. Sheets started at DH on Wednesday.
“When I sent Burger down, I told him that he was a major-league hitter,” Grifol said. “That was one of the hardest send-downs I’ve ever had in my career. And the reason was because I really feel like he’s a major league hitter.”
Burger slashed .263/.300/.491 with four home runs and nine RBIs in 23 Cactus League games this spring. He is 2 for 12 (.167) in three games with Charlotte.
“I’m going to play the game hard no matter where I’m at,” Burger said before Wednesday’s game. “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.”
Hendriks update
Liam Hendriks thanked family, friends and fans in an Instagram post that included a video of the Sox closer ringing the bell.
Hendriks said Monday he had begun his last round of chemotherapy after disclosing in January he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
In Wednesday’s post, Hendriks wrote: “5 months ago my life changed forever. 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.
”I started treatment after SO many life altering appointments on January 9th, 2023. Every 28 days, I would have another round. Every 28 days, I got closer to the PET scan that would dictate how many more rounds there would be. Every 28 days, I got closer to this moment.
”These past 5 months have been both the quickest and slowest of my life. Being able to ring this victory bell has been one of the most emotional things I’ve ever done. I cannot thank my team of doctors and nurses enough for coming up with the best medical plan for me. No words can express the gratitude I have for them saving my life.
”To my wife: You came to every single appointment. You held my hand every step of the way. You were my voice of confidence and always made sure I felt loved and safe throughout it all. I love you.
”To family, friends and fans: Your support kept me going. You kept me in the right frame of mind to beat this. Your encouragement made a bigger difference than you will ever know. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
