White Sox outfielder Avisail Garcia is hoping for two pleasant surprises Sunday: A return to the lineup and a spot on the American League All-Star team.
Garcia has been day-to-day since injuring his knee sliding awkwardly into first base Thursday against the Yankees. He and manager Rick Renteria confirmed that he’ll be back in the lineup Sunday or Monday.
Garcia said he’s not going to rush it.
“Since it’s the knee, we’ll wait and see what happens,” he said Saturday. “Maybe I’ll hit tomorrow to see how it feels and it’s ready for Monday. I don’t know.”
Either way, Garcia will find out his All-Star fate during the selection show at 6 p.m. Sunday on ESPN. Garcia, who’s seeking his first All-Star nod in six seasons, is hitting .318 with 11 home runs and 51 RBI.
As of last week, Garcia was fifth among AL outfielders in fan voting and trailed the Astros’ George Springer by more than 300,000 votes for third.
Garcia described the anticipation as both exciting and painful.
“We’ll see what happens,” he said. “It hasn’t happened yet.”
Abreu homers again
First baseman Jose Abreu homered for the second consecutive game at Guaranteed Rate Field after not going deep in 41 home games dating to Sept. 15, 2016.
Abreu’s homer gave the Sox a 2-0 lead in the first inning, but Rangers starter Cole Hamels went on to retire the last 19 batters he faced.
Smith stays hot, Davidson cold
Kevan Smith, who hit a two-run double down the left-field line as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning, has hit safely in 11 of his last 13 games while batting .422 during that span. He stayed in the game at catcher.
While Smith remains hot at the plate, Matt Davidson, who started as the designated hitter, continues to struggle. He’s 1-for-24 with 16 strikeouts in the last six games.
Saladino, Gonzalez progressing
Injured infielder Tyler Saladino and right-hander Miguel Gonzalez are nearing rehab assignments, Renteria said.
Saladino has been sidelined with back spasms since May 27, and Gonzalez has been on the disabled list since June 18 with AC joint inflammation.
“Both are hopefully slated to continue moving along and go out on rehab,” Renteria said. “The schedule will still be looked at.”
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