White Sox to open shortened season with Twins, close with Cubs at home

The White Sox will host the Minnesota Twins to open the season on July 24, a Friday night, and conclude with three games against the Cubs Sept. 25-27 at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Those are the featured bookends around the Sox’ slate in the abbreviated 60-game schedules announced Monday. In between, the Sox are scheduled to play the ‘Field of Dreams’ Game in Dyersville, Iowa, against the Cardinals on Aug. 13, and three games against the Cubs at Wrigley Field Aug. 21-23.

The Sox play at the Indians, Royals and Brewers after facing the Twins in a weekend series at home, and like everyone else in the short season will be aiming for a fast start.

“I’m going to assume we’ve already played 102 games and we’re in first place and we’re trying to hold on to that slot,” manager Rick Renteria said of his approach to the schedule. “We’re going to proceed that way, obviously without putting anybody in harm’s way. But it is important for a club to get off to a good start because the schedule is waning. It’s short.”

Teams will play opponents from their division and teams from the same geographical division in the other league, with 40 divisional games and 20 interleague games. The home and away games are unbalanced, with the Sox hosting the Twins in seven of their 10 matchups. Seven of 10 games against the Indians are in Cleveland, seven of 10 against the Tigers are at home and seven of 10 against the Royals are in Kansas City. With fans not expected to attend games because of the coronavirus, home field advantage might be negligible.

The Sox play three exhibition night games: July 19 at the Cubs July 20 vs. the Cubs at home and July 22 vs. the Brewers at home.

Here is the Sox schedule:

Moncada absent

Renteria acknowledged that third baseman Yoan Moncada was not at Guaranteed Rate Field with other White Sox regulars Monday, the fourth day of summer camp. Moncada has not participated in any workouts, which began Friday, a source said.

The Sox announced Sunday that two players tested positive for the coronavirus but didn’t name them. Both are asymptomatic, are in isolation in Chicago and requested privacy, the team said.

Renteria declined comment when asked about Moncada’s absence Monday.

“I’m just holding him out right now,” he said.

Moncada, who lives in Miami in the offseason, was the only regular position player not on the field. Jose Abreu’s and Edwin Encarnacion’s first appearances were delayed until Sunday while the team awaited results of their intake tests.

Players who test positive can return to activities once they have recorded consecutive negative tests and passed appropriate COVID-19 protocols.

This and that

Tim Anderson tried taking batting practice with a mask but took it off because it was too uncomfortable.

*Left-hander Gio Gonzalez, a free agent pegged for the starting rotation who did not pitch in spring training as he worked back from a sore shoulder, is slated to pitch two innings in a sim game Tuesday.

*The Sox’ first intrasquad game remains is Thursday.