PEORIA, Ariz. — As it turns out, Tyler Saladino might have gotten the worst of it in the collision Sunday with White Sox left fielder Nicky Delmonico, but manager Rick Renteria said Monday that the Sox were “very fortunate with both of them,” considering the crash.
Saladino has a concussion, and Delmonico, while first thought to have a partial dislocation of the shoulder joint, had a clean MRI and will resume baseball activity Wednesday.
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A concussion during the regular season automatically puts a player on the shelf for seven days. The spring-training protocol doesn’t require seven days, but the Sox will be cautious with Saladino, who stayed in the game but later exited.
“He said [Sunday] he was a little shaken,’’ Renteria said. “But he feels better [Monday] than anticipated, I guess, after what occurred. But we’re hoping that’s also a day-to-day situation.’’
Trying to make the opening-day roster as a utility infielder, Saladino is having a good spring with a .409/.458/.591 slash line in 22 at-bats with plenty of hard contact, one homer, two doubles and two stolen bases.
Delmonico, who has been in contact with Saladino since the collision, was upset with himself for not calling his teammate and friend off the ball.
“I was just running, trying to not lose it in the sun,’’ Delmonico said. ‘‘That’s my ball to take.
“I kind of went mute. I should’ve called it and got him out of there. Luckily, nothing really bad happened.’’
Use Eloy while you got him
Top prospect Eloy Jimenez was in the starting lineup for a second consecutive game, as a designated hitter Monday night against the Mariners, but he might not make many more appearances as Renteria increases time for players who will be on the major-league roster.
“Basically, that’s where we’re getting,’’ Renteria said. “We need to make sure they’re getting their at-bats, their work. We want to start ramping up the guys we see staying at the major-league level, getting their at-bats.’’
Jimenez has looked like a major-leaguer, hitting two homers and a triple in two games after being sidelined with a sore knee.
“We know we have a plan for Eloy,’’ Renteria said. “We are very happy with the outcomes he’s had in his approaches at the plate. It’s a very mature approach, as everyone can see, a very balanced swing from a mechanical standpoint. But we know at some point we have to make a decision and a move. And when we do, we know it’s the best for him and for us.’’
Upcoming starters
After their day off Tuesday, the Sox will start Carson Fulmer on Wednesday against the Brewers, Lucas Giolito on Thursday against the Angels and Reynaldo Lopez on Friday against the Cubs. Hector Santiago is expected to start a minor-league game Wednesday.
Eyes on Charlotte
With continued interest in the Sox’ rebuilding farm system, NBC Sports Chicago again will televise numerous Class AAA Charlotte Knights games this season.
The 2018 schedule announced Monday calls for 17 games, starting with their exhibition against the Sox on March 26, the big club’s last tune-up before its season opener March 29.
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Email: dvanschouwen@suntimes.com
