Yoan Moncada and Michael Sorkoa are on track to return to the White Sox lineup before the end of the season. While neither is expected to be with the team next season it will provide Grady Sizemore’s squad with some reinforcements as the team tries to fend off the 1962 Mets for the fewest wins in modern MLB history.
On Friday White Sox general manager Chris Getz announced that Moncada will be sent to Charlotte to begin a rehab assignment in Triple-A on August 27th. Moncada was initially aiming toward a return to the White Sox lineup in late July before his rehab was halted due to soreness. Former White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said at the time that the decision was made after some “anticipated soreness” but that the team did not view it as a setback.
Nearly a month later Moncada is still on the IL leaving many to speculate he would prefer to sit out the rest of the season before hitting free agency. If all goes well during his rehab assignment in Charlotte the White Sox could see him back in the lineup by mid-September.
The 29-year-old has been on the injured list since April 9th after suffering a left hip adductor strain while running the bases in Cleveland. He was placed on the 10-IL when the team announced that he was expected to miss three to six months.
The injury occurred the same day Grifol told reporters that Moncada was nursing a nagging hip injury. However, Moncada was doing his best to stay on the field and help a depleted White Sox lineup. Even with the hip issue Moncada still tried to hustle out of the box and leg out an infield single which ultimately caused him to go down. Before the injury, he was one of the few bright spots in the White Sox lineup, hitting .282 with a .774 OPS.
Right-hander Michael Soroka could return by the start of September after throwing another bullpen session this week. According to Getz, Soroka will join Moncada in Triple-A Charlotte to begin a rehab assignment on August 27. Soroka landed on the IL on July 14th with a subscapular strain. The 27-year-old has struggled to the tune of a 5.23 ERA this season. However, since being moved to the bullpen Soroka has been throwing the ball much better. In 13 relief appearances, he posted a 3.45 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 28 2/3 innings of work.
