(670 The Score) The White Sox have received great news recently in that both slugger Eloy Jimenez and center fielder Luis Robert have been ramping up their activity in their rehabilitations from serious injuries.
Jimenez has been out since late March with a ruptured left pectoral tendon that required surgical repair. He was cleared in mid-June to resume baseball activities and has been taking swings at the White Sox's complex in Glendale, Arizona.
Robert suffered a complete tear of his right hip flexor while legging out an infield single in a game in early May. On Tuesday, the White Sox revealed that he has been cleared to increase his level of baseball activity, with throwing, running and swinging on the docket. Robert is also conducting his work at the team's complex in Arizona.
Jimenez and Robert are now on similar timelines for a return. This phase of the rehab process for each player is expected to take about a month, which would be followed by a rehab assignment with a minor league affiliate.
While the White Sox haven't shared any timetables for a return for Jimenez or Robert, if there are no setbacks in their continued rehab processes, they could return to the big league team in late August or early September, which would give them time to round back into form and be ready for the playoffs.
For his part, White Sox manager Tony La Russa is looking forward to the day they're ready to contribute.
"The deeper the lineup, the less pressure there is on everybody," La Russa said. "So when those two guys come back, there will be expectations from everybody. They will know we need them to produce, but they will see the guys hitting in front and behind them and only worry about doing what you can do what you do. The depth of the lineup is going to help both of them."
Jimenez, 24, is a dangerous power hitter who was set to be in the heart of the White Sox's lineup before his injury. He hit .296 with 14 homers, 41 RBIs and an .891 OPS in 55 games in the shortened 2020 season. In his two MLB seasons, Jimenez has hit .276 with 45 home runs and 120 RBIS over 730 plate appearances in 177 games.
Robert, 23, is hitting .316 with one homer, eight RBIs, 11 runs, four steals and an .822 OPS in 25 games this season.
"We are all going to be excited to get them back," La Russa said. "The important thing is that we don't get distracted if they are not back. We are all excited to hear they are doing baseball drills. In fact, the other day I got a nice text video from Eloy taking 10 swings and looking great. But the games we play now until that time they return are very important and we cannot afford to get distracted."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
