(670 The Score) Eloy Jimenez is in line to be the White Sox's primary designated hitter in 2023 after the team signed Andrew Benintendi to a five-year, $75-million deal to play left field, but manager Pedro Grifol has also instructed Jimenez to put in work in right field.
"I've spoken to Eloy," Grifol said Wednesday. "Obviously, Beni comes here to play left field. That's what he's done his whole career, and he's really good at it. I've spoken to Eloy. I've told him to continue to work in the outfield, to work some in right field as well. So that conversation has already been had with him. And in true professional matter, Eloy's like, 'Whatever is best for this ball club and whatever helps us win baseball games.'"
Jimenez, 26, made 50 starts at DH and 30 starts in left field in his injury-plagued 2022 season. In the three seasons prior to that, he had spent the majority of his playing time in left field.
The White Sox have a hole in right field, as no player established himself as an everyday player there in 2022. Highly regarded prospect Oscar Colas, who's 24, figures to compete for a role in right field in spring training. Lefty bat Gavin Sheets also will likely receive starts in right field based on matchups. He started 78 times in right field in 2022.
However it all plays out, the White Sox want Jimenez's bat in the lineup every day. While he has dealt with myriad injuries in his big league career, he's produced at a high level with healthy. Jimenez hit .295 with 16 homers, 54 RBIs and an .858 OPS in 84 games last season.
In his four-year MLB career, Jimenez has hit .276 with an .831 OPS and averaged 36 homers per 162 games played.
Listen live to 670 The Score via:
Audacy App | Online Stream | Smart Speaker
