Rehab assignments for White Sox' Yoan Moncada, Mike Clevinger halted
ARLINGTON, Texas — Third baseman Yoan Moncada has been a forgotten man for the 2024 White Sox, out since straining his left adductor running out a ground ball April 9 in Cleveland. And you can forget about him returning anytime soon after he was returned from his rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League.
Right-hander Mike Clevinger, whose scheduled start for Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday was canceled, also was returned from his rehab assignment. He has dealt with neck and elbow problems in recent weeks.
Moncada played in five games in Arizona, going 8-for-15. He’s medically cleared to play but isn’t comfortable enough and is electing not to push it.
“Moncada’s rehab was stopped with some anticipated soreness,” Sox manager Pedro Grifol said Monday. “We’ll reevaluate that. We don’t think it’s anything wrong.
“Everything I’ve heard about that injury, even though you’re healed, it still feels like similar to what it felt like when it first happened, but it’s not. So it’s almost like he wants to be sure he has no pain.”
The initial prognosis for Moncada, whose career has been filled with injuries, was three to six months.
Grifol called it erring on the side of caution.
“There’s nothing where we feel he’s taken a step back,” he said.
The Sox are building for a future that doesn’t include Moncada, who’s earning $24 million this year and has a $25 million club option for next year that won’t be picked up. He’s 29 and wants to catch on with another team in the offseason, so it would behoove him to get more games under his belt. It also would have behooved the Sox — who believe they could have traded Moncada before the July 30 deadline — to have had him playing this week.
Signed to a one-year, $3 million contract on April 4, Clevinger has appeared in only four games over 16 innings and has allowed 12 earned runs. He hasn’t pitched for the Sox since May 23.
“We’ll reevaluate as we go,” Grifol said.
Robert leads off
Luis Robert Jr. batted leadoff Monday against the Rangers, with Tommy Pham moved down to Robert’s customary No. 3 spot. Robert struck out in the first inning and Pham homered.
“Just want to change it up,” said Grifol, whose team scored one run in each of the three games against the Royals coming out of the All-Star break. “We did it one time — [Pham] looked good. I like Pham, what he does with runners in scoring position.
“If Robert gets on, he’s able to create some havoc on the bases and maybe get [No. 2 hitter Andrew Benintendi] some fastballs and create something early and often. See if we can score some runs.”
Robert tried scoring from third on a ball that got away from Rangers catcher Jonah Heim but was thrown out to end the top of the third.
Grifol said he discussed the lineup move with Robert.
“He’s fine with it,” Grifol said. “He understands what we’re trying to do.”
Fedde time now
Monday starter Erick Fedde’s days seem numbered with the Sox, who see him as a valuable trade chip.
Fedde, who was pitching on 11 days rest, was locked in a 2-2 tie through five innings after allowing homers to Marcus Semien and Leody Taveras.
This and that
Brooks Baldwin collected his first RBI (single) and stolen base in the fourth inning.
• Right-hander Jimmy Lambert (shoulder) will make a second appearance at Arizona on Tuesday, and right-handers Dominic Leone (elbow) and Matt Foster (elbow, back) will make rehab appearances at Charlotte in the next day or two.