GLENDALE, Ariz. — Chicago White Sox designated hitter Eloy Jiménez fouled a pitch off his right foot Wednesday during a Cactus League game against the Cincinnati Reds.
“It wasn’t a thing yesterday, when he came in today, it was hurting him a little bit,” manager Pedro Grifol said Thursday.
Jiménez missed Thursday’s game against the Kansas City Royals with a bruised right foot. He’s day to day, according to the Sox.
Grifol said the Sox will “see how (Jiménez) shows up” Friday. The Sox took an X-ray that checked out OK, Grifol said, “just to make sure. Give him some peace of mind, give us some peace of mind too.”
Jiménez has been one of the most productive hitters for the Sox this spring. He entered Thursday tied for the team lead with 16 hits, was second on the team with 12 RBIs and tied for fourth with four doubles. He’s slashing .356/.383/.511 and has one home run.
Jiménez made adjustments at the plate — including, as hitting coach Marcus Thames pointed out, “trying to make sure his hands are staying up” — with the goal of avoiding grounders as much as possible.
Jiménez knows his health is critical for the offense. Injuries limited him to fewer than 100 games in 2021 and 2022, and last season he was out for an extended period after he underwent an appendectomy.
Grifol said Jiménez’s “ability to apply the work that he did in the offseason” has stood out.
“We want the ball in the air, he wants the ball in the air,” Grifol said. “He’s kept the ball in the air for the most part. And his work has been really good. His physical side is really on point, he looks strong, he feels really good. We’ve just got to keep him going.”