Reynaldo Lopez 'feeling much, much better,' Renteria says

Reynaldo Lopez ‘feeling much, much better,’ Renteria says

Lopez pitches against the Texas Rangers Thursday at Texas. (Getty Images)

Reynaldo Lopez’s back issue appears to be mild enough to alleviate any concerns that he won’t be pitching again this season.

Lopez, who went on the 10-day disabled list Saturday (retroactive to Friday) with a strained back, played catch in the outfield before the first game of the doubleheader Monday, throwing at about 75 feet with some authority. Manager Rick Renteria said Lopez is “doing very, very well.’’

“Last night before we got off [the plane from Texas to Chicago], he said he was feeling much, much better,’’ Renteria said. “Now it’s a matter of where he’s at and what we start doing with him activity-wise before he gets back in the rotation.’’

One of the Sox’ top pitching prospects, Lopez came out of his second start for the Sox in the fifth inning Thursday at Texas. He said he woke up that morning feeling discomfort in his side, but he didn’t say anything about it. The Sox later said it was a back issue, but it doesn’t appear to be serious.

“There’s nothing that’s going to hold this young man back,’’ Renteria said. “The disappointment is more that he can’t get back out there every five days, not in terms of his performance. He’s done pretty well. It’s just that he can’t be out there right now. Once he’s healed up, he’s going to be fine and be out there every five days.’’

Game 1 at a time for Moncada

Yoan Moncada, who missed the last two games with shin splints, was in the lineup for Game 1 but did not play in Game 2 against the Twins.

“We’ll continue to go back and try to calm it down a little,’’ Renteria said. “Shin splints are an irritation of tendon against bone. They get irritated, and it takes time. They’re treating it. There’s a wrap on it that hopefully compresses it to minimize the discomfort. Most of it is just how much you can do while still dealing with a little of the pain.’’

This and that

Jose Abreu extended his hitting streak to 10 when he doubled in the first inning against Twins right-hander Tim Melville, who made his major-league debut. Abreu hit his 25th homer in the fifth inning of the first game.

◆ Struggling left-hander Derek Holland, KO’d in the third inning from his start Saturday in Texas, entered in the eighth inning in relief and gave up a three-run homer to No. 9 hitter Jorge Polanco, a blast that cut the Sox’ lead to 7-6. Holland got one out. Renteria said before the game that Holland (6.28 ERA) will make his next scheduled start Thursday.

◆ Renteria said Matt Davidson (right wrist) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment if his wrist checks out OK after Tuesday’s workout.

◆ Coach Joel Quenneville will throw out the first pitch and Jim Cornelison will sing the national anthem Wednesday on Blackhawks Night at Guaranteed Rate Field.

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Email: dvanschouwen@suntimes.com

White Sox players, including Nicky Delmonico (middle) and Avisail Garcia, watch the eclipse from the dugout before Monday’s games. (Photo by Daryl Van Schouwen)