The White Sox announced Friday evening that third baseman Yoán Moncada and relief pitcher José Ruiz have been placed on the 10-day injured list.
No specifics were given as to why.
The White Sox announced last weekend that two players tested positive for COVID-19 during the team's intake period of testing, when players reported to "Summer Camp" at Guaranteed Rate Field, but Major League Baseball's health and safety protocol, as well as existing laws, prevent the White Sox from revealing which two players tested positive after both players requested privacy. Without official word, any speculation that Moncada and Ruiz were those two players is just that: speculation.
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Both, however, will continue to sit out of "Summer Camp" workouts, and it's fair to wonder about their level of readiness for Opening Day, scheduled for July 24, if they wind up missing the vast majority of "Summer Camp."
While Ruiz was and remains a fringe candidate to make the Opening Day bullpen, Moncada is obviously the starting third baseman and emerged last season as the best all-around player on the team. While a remade White Sox lineup looks far more menacing than it did last season, even without Moncada, losing him for any length of time during the regular season would be a blow. There is no indication, however, that he won't be ready for Opening Day, with Lucas Giolito saying Thursday that Moncada is expected to return to the team soon.
If Moncada isn't ready to go in two weeks, though, the White Sox have options for third base. Infielders Leury García and Danny Mendick have versatility and are able to play third. Highly touted prospect Andrew Vaughn has gotten some work in at third during "Summer Camp," as well, with manager Rick Renteria saying earlier this week that Vaughn "has all the makings of being able to play that position."
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Of course, the White Sox hope it doesn't get to that point and that Moncada can start the vast majority of the time during the upcoming 60-game schedule.