White Sox general manager Rick Hahn revealed that third baseman Yoan Moncada has a protruding disk that’s impinging on a nerve in his lower back. Until Thursday, the Sox were only saying Moncada, who hasn’t played since April 9, was dealing with a sore lower back.
Moncada’s activity has picked up in recent days, and he is progressing, Hahn said, but he is not expected to go on a rehab stint until at least after the homestand that started Thursday against the Rays and concludes next Thursday against the Twins.
The pain caused by the disk radiated into Moncada’s glutes. It’s possible Moncada will need surgery after the season, but the odds are in his favor against that.
“My understanding medically is that about 80% of them, they’re able to calm down naturally, and then you go on with your life,” Hahn said. “And then about maybe two out of every 10, you have to have some sort of intervention in the offseason. It’s trending the right way right now. Hopefully he continues to progress over these seven or eight days and will have an assignment soon after.”
On a more positive note, catcher Yasmani Grandal returned to the lineup two days after coming out of a game in Toronto with what manager Pedro Grifol called “a little spasm.”
“They were able to kind of crush that thing with some massaging and some stuff, and he’s ready to go,” Grifol said.
Tim, Hanser start rehab assignments
Shortstop Tim Anderson (sprained left knee) and infielder Hanser Alberto (strained left quad) worked out at Guaranteed Rate Field and left for Triple-A Charlotte to begin rehab assignments. Anderson is expected back for the series against the Twins that begins Tuesday.
Hendriks, Crochet also close
Closer Liam Hendriks, who is cancer-free after undergoing treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, is expected in Chicago next week for a pre-rehab assignment that could begin next weekend.
And left-hander Garrett Crochet (Tommy John surgery), who has been pitching in minor-league games in Arizona, could start a rehab assignment this weekend.
Giolito, Montgomery news
Lucas Giolito returned from the bereavement list and will start Friday against the Rays. Tanner Banks was optioned to Charlotte.
Top shortstop prospect Colson Montgomery has not played since spring training because of a mid-back strain. There is no timeline for his return, Hahn said.
Judge dismisses former trainer’s claims
An Illinois Circuit Court judge dismissed all of former Sox trainer Brian Ball’s remaining claims against the team related to his termination in 2020, the Sox said in a statement.
In his February response to the club’s motion to dismiss, Ball voluntarily dismissed all claims against Hahn personally, as well as two of his original five claims against the club, the Sox said.
With the ruling, the court dismissed the remaining three claims against the Sox, “thereby closing the matter unless there is an appeal of the court’s ruling.”
Ball, a 20-year employee of the Sox and former head athletic trainer, filed a lawsuit last May against the Sox and Hahn, claiming he was unlawfully fired on Oct. 31, 2020, because of his sexual orientation, age and disability. He also claimed he was defamed by the team and suffered emotional distress.
