It's been an injury-plagued year for Chicago White Sox starting third baseman Yoan Moncada. Moncada is amid a second IL stint for a nagging back ailment and has played just 38 games this year. However, Moncada's return appears imminent as he begins his injury rehab assignment tonight.
Moncada got off to a hot start at the beginning of the season, but after cooling off, he landed on the IL on April 14th (retroactive to April 11th) with a sore back. An injury that plagued him during spring training. The 28-year-old returned to action on May 12th against Houston, and the injury was clarified as a protruding disc.
Struggling At The Dish
The third basemen's return didn't inspire much confidence. In 26 starts after coming off the IL, he slashed .202/.262/.293 with only one home run and eight RBIs over 107 plate appearances. To his credit, the injury has not limited him at the hot corner, where he has been reliable for years. However, a month later, the injury flared up again, and Moncada went back to the IL for the second time on June 15th.
What's On Tap Next?
Now a month later, he appears to be on the road to recovery. He will begin a rehab assignment tonight with the White Sox Triple-A affiliate in Charlotte, as he did last time. Moncada required a five-game tune-up before his return from the first IL stint. Luckily for the White Sox, they have some depth at third base with the emergency of Jake Burger.
Nevertheless, the White Sox are 16 games below .500 and the 2023 season is a disappointment. Chicago will be sellers at the deadline but Moncada is unlikely to be dealt. He is scheduled to make $24.5m in 2024 and has played just 38 games this year.
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