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Chicago White Sox second baseman Romy Gonzalez could get the starting nod in right field on Opening Day on Thursday against the Houston Astros and left-hander Framber Valdez with Eloy Jimenez serving as the designated hitter. Oscar Colas is another option to get the nod with a left-hander on the hill. The 26-year-old Gonzalez hit just .222 (10-for-45) in 20 Cactus League games this spring, but he also had five home runs and 10 RBI and performed well against left-handed pitching in just 32 games played for the White Sox in 2022 in his second major-league season. Colas will be the Pale Hose's regular right fielder against right-handed pitchers to open the 2023 season.
Chicago White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said that third baseman Yoan Moncada is good to go to play on Opening Day on Thursday against the Houston Astros and left-hander Framber Valdez. Moncada has been dealing with lower-back stiffness, but he got through a workout on Wednesday with no issues and will be in the lineup on Thursday to kick off the 2023 regular season. Like most of Chicago's players in 2022, the 27-year-old switch-hitting third baseman just wasn't able to get into any kind of a groove due to injuries. He finished with a .212/.273/.353 slash line, 12 home runs, 51 RBI and 41 runs scored in 104 games. It's hard to know what to expect from Moncada in 2023, but he should be much more productive with better health.
Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks is making progress and will not be put on the 60-day injured list to open the 2023 regular season, according to general manager Rick Hahn. Hendriks is responding well to treatment while battling non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and has been throwing bullpen sessions at camp. Despite the positive update, there remains no timetable for the 34-year-old right-handed reliever to make his 2023 debut for the White Sox. But the fact that he won't go on the 60-day IL to begin the year means there's a chance he could return sometime in May. When healthy, Hendriks should be Chicago's primary closer, so he should be stashed in fantasy leagues. Until then, the Pale Hose could go with a committee situation that involves Kendall Graveman, Aaron Bummer, Joe Kelly, Reynaldo Lopez and Jake Diekman.
Chicago White Sox third baseman Yoan Moncada (back) has been removed early during Sunday's Cactus League matchup against the Colorado Rockies. It sounds like the switch-hitting infielder was removed was a precaution due to lower back stiffness. This doesn't sound like an issue that is going to force Moncada to be placed on the injured list. The hope is that he'll be fine for Opening Day. Fantasy managers will have to check back for another update on his status.
Chicago White Sox infielder Leury Garcia is not expected to make the Opening Day roster. The 31-year-old has struggled, hitting .222 with a homer, two RBI, and two stolen bases this spring. It sounds like Hanser Alberto has beaten out Garcia for a reserve infielder spot on the roster. It's uncertain what is going to happen to Garcia considering he has two years and $11 million remaining on his contract. Possibly, Garcia is traded or sent to the minors until he's needed on the big league roster. That being said, it's hard to imagine Garcia having fantasy value to begin the season.
