White Sox’ Eloy Jimenez leaves first game of rehab assignment with right leg soreness

White Sox outfielder Eloy Jimenez, playing in his first rehabilitation assignment for Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday night at Durham, exited the game with right leg soreness after lining a single to right field in his second at-bat.

Jimenez, who had surgery to repair a torn right hamstring tendon behind his right knee on May 26, hobbled slightly immediately after the swing. After reaching first base, Knights training staff met him halfway up the line as he began walking toward the third-base dugout.

Yermin Mercedes pinch ran for Jimenez, who was the designated hitter. Jimenez’ timetable for a return was estimated at six to eight weeks from when the injury occurred. He has worked out with the Sox for about three weeks and seemingly was making a swift recovery.

“He is a product of the modern-science miracle,” Sox manager Tony La Russa said on May 12. “Several days after the surgery he was walking around without a limp. Now what that actually means is, what we don’t want to do is push it ahead X number of days and that would be unwise and then lose him.”

Respects Kapler’s choice, not method

La Russa said he respects Giants manager Gabe Kapler and his decision to stay off the field during the national anthem. But he doesn’t agree with Kapler’s method for protesting the latest mass shooting in the United States.

“He’s exactly right to be [concerned], which a lot of us — who isn’t concerned about what’s happening in our country,” La Russa said.

Kapler wrote this week that he’s “not OK with the state of this country.”

“Where I disagree is that the flag and the anthem are not appropriate places to try to voice your objections,” La Russa said.

La Russa was asked about Kapler’s stance before the Sox played the Cubs. He said that form of protest is a disservice to servicemen and servicewomen.

“Talk to any serviceman that put their life on the line,” La Russa said. “Some of their courage comes from what the flag means to them and when they hear the anthem.

“You need to understand what the -veterans think when they hear the anthem or they see the flag, and the cost they and their families paid.”

Two Sox will miss Toronto series

General manager Rick Hahn said two Sox players who are not vaccinated will be on the restricted list for the series in Toronto on Tuesday through Thursday.

The Canadian government requires a second vaccine dose — or one dose of Johnson & Johnson — at least 14 days prior to entry. Players on the restricted list because they are unvaccinated against COVID-19 don’t get paid or accrue major-league service time.

Moncada and Robert updates

Yoan Moncada has a sore left quad and was available to pinch hit Saturday but might not start until the team gets to Toronto.

Luis Robert, on the COVID IL since Monday, won’t play in the Cubs series and is a maybe for the Blue Jays but is expected back for the Rays series next weekend, Hahn said.

Chicago teams supporting cause

The Chicago Sports Alliance, a collaboration between the White Sox, Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls and Cubs with support of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, is committing $300,000 to the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation and the Robb School Memorial Fund.

The Alliance was created five years ago to address gun violence across the city.

Extra rest for Kopech

Probable starters for Jays: Lucas Giolito, Tuesday (five days of rest); Michael Kopech, Wednesday (nine days); Johnny Cueto (four days) in Toronto.