CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Chicago White Sox manager Rick Renteria was medically cleared and managed both games of Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Indians.
Renteria woke up Monday with “a slight cough and nasal congestion” prompting him to isolate from the team and be tested for COVID-19.
Bench coach Joe McEwing was set to manage in Renteria’s absence before Monday night’s game was rained out.
“They had the protocol in place,” Renteria said following a 4-3 loss to the Indians Game 1 Tuesday. “I had a stuffy and runny nose, I was coughing. We have our intake questions they ask us. Those are two of them.”
According to MLB guidelines, a symptomatic person must have two negative tests given 24 hours apart before they are allowed to rejoin the team. The person must also be symptom-free and receive physician approval to return.
“It was great because I wanted to be here yesterday,” Renteria said. “But again, everybody sees what’s going on throughout the league. It’s best that we err on the side of caution. We have the things available to us to make sure we are clear. So it worked, and I’m back relatively quickly.”
Renteria’s scare comes amidst an outbreak with the Miami Marlins where 19 have tested positive prompting MLB to suspend play for the team until next week. The Philadelphia Phillies also had games postponed for the week out of an abundance of caution after playing against the Marlins over the weekend.
Perez banged up – Catcher Roberto Perez underwent an MRI Tuesday following Game 1 after complaining of soreness in his right shoulder.
According to Indians manager Terry Francona, Perez injured himself over the weekend when slipped throwing to first base after getting a ball that got by him.
“He kind of jammed his shoulder and I think as time progressed, I think he thought it would loosen up and it really didn’t,” Francona said. “After the first game the trainers alerted me.”
The Perez injury forced the Indians to make multiple moves between games Tuesday.
Catcher Beau Taylor was called up from the alternate training site in Lake County, outfielder Daniel Johnson was optioned to the alternate training site in Lake County and reliever James Hoyt was designated for assignment.
The team hopes to have an update on Perez Wednesday.
Hot Start – The Indians 4-1 start is the best for the club since 2006 when they started 6-1.
Cleveland’s first five starters have all tossed 6.0 or more innings while allowing two or fewer runs marking just the second time since 2000 an MLB team has accomplished the feat (2013 Mets) and the first time the Indians have turned the trick since 1989.
The 61 strikeouts recorded through the first 5 games of the season by Indians pitchers are the most by a Cleveland staff since the 1966 team recorded 63 strikeouts through 5 games.
Welcome back – A familiar face returned to Progressive Field – Edwin Encarnacion.
What did Francona say when he saw the White Sox signed him?
“I think my first word was s***,” Francona said. “You can pretty much pen in he’s going to put up numbers. He always does. He’s extremely consistent and as long as he remains healthy, I’m not sure that’s going to change. He’s a guy, we had him for a couple of years and we love him.
“I would rather him drive in less runs for them than he did for us.”
Encarnacion went 1-4 with a single, two strikeouts and was hit by a pitch. He flew out to center to end the opener and did not play in the nightcap.
