Eloy Jimenez Faces Another Possible Setback After Early Exit From Sunday's Game

Eloy Jimenez exited Sunday’s game against the Detroit Tigers in the sixth inning with an apparent injury. The White Sox announced on social media that the early exit was due to adductor soreness. He is currently being further evaluated. Jimenez did not meet the media on Thursday but the team said he plans to speak to them on Monday.

The injury occurred as he tried running out a ground ball to Tigers’ third baseman Gio Urshela. Jimenez ran a few strides out of the batter's box before hitting the brakes with a grimace and slowing to a trot halfway down the line.

"They're going to do some testing on it. I think he's had this before so we're not sure until tomorrow," Pedro Grifol said during his postgame press conference.

Eloy Jimenez appears to be hurt... AGAIN. pic.twitter.com/y7BNOuj0Rt

— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) March 31, 2024

Jimenez walking gingerly back to the dugout is a familiar sight for White Sox fans. He has played in just 436 of the White Sox's 708 regular season games during his first five seasons in the big leagues.

“The bottom line is he’s too big and too powerful,” Hall of Fame first baseman Frank Thomas said on the White Sox Postgame Show. “He’s not staying loose enough as a designated hitter, probably doesn’t know how to stay loose without playing in the field.” 

Last season the 27-year-old missed time due to a hamstring and groin injury and an emergency appendectomy. In 2022 he suffered a torn hamstring tendon while running to first base during a late April contest against the Twins. He underwent knee surgery two plays later and didn’t return to the White Sox lineup until July. 

In 2021 he missed the first four months of the season after tearing his pectoral while trying to rob an uncatchable home run ball during spring training. During his rookie season, he missed multiple weeks with a high ankle sprain. 

The 27-year-old was off to a slow start to the season, with just two hits in his first 11 at-bats with no RBIs or walks. Before the season he said his goal was to play at least 150 games.