The Chicago White Sox have had nothing but bad luck this season. They have suffered some damaging losses in weird ways and had some strange things happen to a few of their players. These strange things are mostly injuries. They lost their “big three” almost immediately to start the season. Luis Robert Jr., Yoan Moncada, and Eloy Jiménez have all been injured this year. Robert Jr. and Moncada have not made their way back yet, although Robert Jr. is close. Jiménez came back, played for a few games, and then went back on the injured list with another hamstring injury. Could this be the last straw for the White Sox? Has the fan base seen the last of Eloy Jiménez in a White Sox uniform?
Is This the End of Eloy Jiménez with the White Sox?
The History
Jiménez’s injury history is quite extensive. He has been hurt multiple times in his career with the Sox. According to NBC Chicago which puts out a comprehensive list of his injuries, Jiménez has suffered a total of 19 injuries since 2019.
His being constantly injured has harmed the White Sox before. He has been gone so much that it has interrupted the White Sox’s plans with their lineup. They have a set plan for their lineup going into the season, which includes Jiménez and before you know it, that lineup has to be dashed and changes need to be made because Jiménez gets hurt.
You can’t fault a guy for getting hurt, but someone who is hurt as often as Jiménez might be more of a detriment than anything.
Eloy Jimenez’s injury history is longer than a CVS receipt. pic.twitter.com/0lmaIRrtNy
— Mike (@ChiSoxFanMike) May 23, 2024
The Here and Now
Jiménez was running the bases when he pulled up after suffering another injury, this time to his hamstring which will have him out for at least a month. It could be longer, it could be shorter, but what are the White Sox going to do when he returns? Are they going to be able to rely on his ability, or will they be out of luck again when he likely gets hurt again?
The White Sox need stability. They don’t have much of it, but they need to get it anywhere that they can get it. Having Jiménez on the roster is a plus when he’s playing well and staying healthy. But when he’s a threat to get injured at any time, it makes things complicated for the Sox.
What Should The Sox Do?
If Jiménez makes it back in a month, which would be sometime around the first of July, the White Sox front office should evaluate what kind of impact he will have on the team. Do they want to hold a spot and keep trying to develop someone who could miss about two months a season or more due to injury? Or will they, instead, decide to go another direction?
Trading Jiménez is out of the question. There isn’t a team out there who will want to give up anything for a player who’s injured so often. They won’t take a chance on him knowing his history and wouldn’t give the Sox much of anything in return.
So Chicago will likely be stuck with him. Or will they?
The White Sox are likely going to cut their losses and move on from Jiménez at season’s end. It’s hard to imagine them sticking with a guy who can’t stay on the field. Look for the Sox to move on from him in the new year. They will start over with other prospects in the designated hitter role.
Photo Credit: © Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
