Trayce Thompson missed his third straight game with a hyperextended left elbow Thursday afternoon as the White Sox closed out a four-game series with the Oakland A’s.
“Every time he starts doing something he’ll feel a little something,” manager Robin Ventura said. “I don’t really want him in there if it’s going to change anything about his swing and how he plays. Hopefully on the road.”
The White Sox conclude a 10-game homestand and open a 10-game road trip Friday through Cleveland, Detroit and New York.
Thompson dived for Brett Lawrie’s double during the ninth inning of Monday’s 8-7 Sox win in 14 innings, bended his glove hand under his wrist and had to leave the game. He was penciled in to start in center field Wednesday night but was later scratched.
“It’s getting better but we just don’t feel comfortable,” Ventura said. “He’s willing to go out there and play but I want him to be 100 percent and not change anything he’s got going on right now. He’s been playing great.”
Thompson, since being called up in early August, has a .377/.424/.689 slash line with four homers, five doubles and 13 RBI in 26 games.
“This is a different player than we saw in spring training, a different player than we saw the last couple of years,” Ventura said. “He’s physically filled out more, he’s stronger. He has a better idea of what he’s doing, and his confidence level is up there too. He realizes, playing here … you don’t really know until you’re up here and you’re playing. Now being up here, it’s a different player than we’ve seen in the past. ”
Ventura gave Jose Abreu and Adam Eaton the day off from the starting lineup the afternoon after a night game. Mike Olt is starting at first base and J.B. Shuck is starting in center field.
Here is the Sox lineup:
Micah Johnson 2b
Alexei Ramirez SS
Melky Cabrera LF
Avisail Garcia RF
Geovany Soto DH
Mike Olt 1B
J.B. Shuck CF
Tyler Flowers C
Tyler Saladino 3B
Jose Quintana P
