MINNEAPOLIS — The White Sox will be without ailing center fielder and leadoff man Adam Eaton for a third consecutive day when they close out a four-game series Sunday afternoon against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.
Eaton, who went home Saturday, had a virus and fever that had been affecting him since the team was in Baltimore early last week. His fever did break, however, and manager Robin Ventura is hopeful for his return when the Sox open a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers Tuesday at U.S. Cellular Field. The Sox have an off day Monday.
The Sox aren’t sure exactly what is ailing Eaton because he hadn’t responded to medication. He’s not the only one who is sick, as Tyler Flowers was ailing Sunday morning and is out of the starting lineup a second consecutive day. Adam LaRoche, among others, have had milder bouts of a virus.
“It’s going around, so be careful who you talk to,” Ventura said. “Don’t get too close.”
It’s been that kind of week for the Sox. After chalking up two wins against the Kansas City Royals at U.S. Cellular Field last Sunday, they were postponed Monday and Tuesday in Baltimore and then played Wednesday in an empty stadium for security reasons due to violence and looting in the city.
The Sox lost the empty-stadium game 8-2 and have lost three in a row in Minnesota against the Twins.
The Sox (8-13) send John Danks to the mound to start against the Twins’ Mike Pelfrey. J.B. Shuck is filling in for Eaton in center field.
Here’s the lineup:
Shuck CF, Cabrera LF, Abreu DH, LaRoche 1B, Garcia RF, Ramirez SS, Beckham 3B, Soto C, Johnson 2B