CHICAGO — It looks like Chicago White Sox slugger Eloy Jimenez could spend a lot of time at designated hitter this year.
The Dominican has other plans.
Jiménez, 26, indicated Monday that he is preparing to play more games in the outfield, especially in right field after Chicago signed Andrew Benintendi to a five-year contract. The White Sox also have Cuban Luis Robert in center, along with Gavin Sheets and Cuban prospect Óscar Colás in the fight for right field.
Jimenez was sidelined for a couple of months last season after undergoing surgery in April to repair a torn tendon behind his right knee. He returned in July and finished with a career-high 50 games as a designated hitter.
When asked if he would accept the role of designated hitter, the Dominican replied: “I don’t know.”
“Last year, when I was a designated hitter more than an outfielder, it was because of surgery. I got it,” he stated. “But this year I’ve been working really hard to be more in the outfield than DH. So I really don’t think I’m going to accept it because I’m working hard.”
Jiménez has ventured into the outfield since making his major league debut for Chicago in 2019. He missed the start of the 2021 season after suffering a ruptured left pectoral tendon on a defensive play in an exhibition duel.
But he’s still a force at the plate, and there’s no questioning his importance with the White Sox.
After he returned last season, he hit .305 with 15 home runs, 47 RBIs and an .895 OPS in his last 73 games. He hit 31 home runs in his rookie season and hit .296 with 14 home runs and 41 RBIs in 55 games in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
Chicago finished 2022 with an 81-81 record and missed the postseason after reaching the playoffs the previous two years.
