The White Sox are facing a tough break as they lose one of their key offensive players, Andrew Benintendi, to the 10-day injured list due to a left adductor strain. Benintendi, who has been a crucial force in the White Sox lineup, played through a previous right-hand injury sustained during Spring Training. Despite the setback of a non-displaced fracture in his right hand, which caused him to miss a few weeks of Cactus League action, Benintendi made it back in time for Opening Day with his hand protected by a brace.
The recent turn of events came on Saturday when Benintendi had to leave the game after two at-bats against the Tigers, with Nick Maton stepping in as the designated hitter. Maton remained in the DH spot on Sunday, while Benintendi was reduced to a bench role after being listed as day-to-day.
The impact of losing Benintendi can't be overstated. The 30-year-old outfielder has been leading the team in several offensive stats, ranging from hits and batting average to home runs and RBIs. With figures like a .290 batting average, two home runs, and an OPS of .817, he was the engine behind the White Sox's offense, which now finds itself struggling—ranked 28th in runs scored and 27th in slugging percentage across the MLB.
In Benintendi's absence, the White Sox will turn to outfielders Luis Robert Jr., Austin Slater, Mike Tauchman, and Michael A. Taylor to fill the gap. Tauchman and Taylor look to be the most probable players to step up in left field.
Enter Greg Jones, a promising player recalled from Triple-A Charlotte, who is now in the mix following Benintendi's injury. Selected in the first round of the 2019 draft by the Tampa Bay Rays, Jones had a brief MLB stint last season with the Colorado Rockies, where he made quite an impression.
In just six plate appearances, Jones hit a home run for his first (and so far only) MLB hit. The 27-year-old also had a solid season with the Rockies’ Triple-A team, posting a .269/.346/.460 slash line, hitting 16 home runs, and stealing 46 bases.
Jones comes onboard after the White Sox designated Oscar Colas for assignment in March, offering his agility and versatility across the field. Known for his ability to play all three outfield positions and middle infield slots, Jones's last Triple-A season saw him flexing his talents at various spots—62 games in center field, 14 at shortstop, and eight at second base, plus a few appearances in right field with the Rockies.
Adding Jones could be a strategic move for the White Sox, as his minor league record shows promise—a .266/.347/.442 slash line with 49 homers and 182 RBIs over five seasons. His speed and versatility might just be what the White Sox need to inject some life into their lineup as they navigate this challenging phase.
