Chicago White Sox will likely have to play out the 2021 MLB season without their slugger Eloy Jimenez. The news was confirmed by White Sox’s general manager Rick Hahn, who told reporters on Thursday that Jimenez is dealing with a ruptured pectoral tendon and is expected to be out between five and six months.
White Sox confirmed Jimenez’s injury on their social media shortly after.
Jimenez got hurt in an exhibition game against the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday. The 24-year-old player was trying to stop Sean Murphy from hitting a home run, but his leap over the fence was fruitless. He ended up leaving the game immediately after, being in visible discomfort.
The absence of Eloy Jimenez will likely be a huge blow to Chicago’s ambitions to take back the AL Central title after almost 15 years. They don’t have much depth behind him in left field, as utility man Leury Garcia is the only player on White Sox’s 40-man roster with majors experience on the position. Their other options like Blake Rutherford and Micker Adolfo still haven’t made their MLB debut.
Jimenez had a strong outing last season, batting .296 with 14 home runs and 41 RBIs. It seemed like his good form could carry over in 2021 as he enjoyed a good run in exhibition games with a .319 batting average and two homers.
