Elbow injury will send Eloy Jimenez to IL for second time

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — White Sox rookie left fielder Eloy Jimenez is headed to the injured list for the second time this season after he collided with center fielder Charlie Tilson on the warning track in the first inning of team’s 11-0 loss to the Royals Tuesday.

The injury occurred on Royals leadoff man Whit Merrifield’s deep fly ball to left center field against right-hander Dylan Cease in the first inning. Running to his left, Jimenez was calling for the ball as Tilson ranged over from center to make the catch in left-center, hooking Jimenez’ right arm with his glove after the grab.

Manager Rick Renteria said Jimenez will go to Chicago for further medical evaluation, including an MRI. The Sox will make a corresponding move Wednesday to replace Jimenez on the 25-man roster.

The initial report was elbow soreness, although Jimenez appeared to grab his right shoulder before going down on the track.

“It’s a tough play,” a dejected Tilson said. “We are both running full speed. I called it, called it late. He probably didn’t hear me. I haven’t had a chance to talk to him about it. Really unfortunate. As an outfielder, you feel terrible especially a guy like Eloy who means so much to our lineup.”

“I’m sure they were both commanding the ball,” Renteria said. “When you talk to your outfielders, you have to call it as loud and constantly as you possibly can and they remember the priority guy. And one has to deviate. It kind of looked like Eloy was going behind him but I don’t know if – obviously they made contact.”

The Sox made three errors in an 11-0 loss to the Royals, their fifth straight defeat.

Jimenez was out from April 27 to May 20 after suffering a high right ankle sprain crashing into the left field wall on a home run.

Jimenez is batting .244/.307/.483 with 17 home runs and 39 RBI. He has five homers and nine RBI over his last 12 games and 11 homers and 25 RBI over his last 28 games.