Chicago White Sox: Yoan Moncada placed on IL with mysterious ailment

Yesterday Chicago White Sox IF Yoan Moncada was placed on the IL with an undisclosed ailment, leaving us wondering…

There is plenty of speculation on what Chicago White Sox IF Yoan Moncada‘s injury might be in the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic, but nothing is official yet and one should never jump to conclusions without facts.

Team officials were asked who the two players that tested positive for the coronavirus were and replied this to the Chicago Sun-Times, “We cannot comment on the health status of individual players or employees regarding COVID-19, and the players involved requested privacy at this time related to their health situations.”

Another thing that is alarming is that the Cienfuegos native has not been seen in camp since it opened on July 3.

One thing that is for sure is that his absence leaves a huge hole at third base and in the Whitesox batting order.

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Danny Mendick, Andrew Romine, and Leury García are in line to play third base if Moncada isn’t available, especially because Chelsor Cuthbert who arrived late to camp from Nicaragua might not be in game shape.

The power-hitting infielder had a breakout season with the bat last year. After striking out 217 times to lead the majors in 2018, he shaved nearly 70 K’s off that total and lead all Cuban born players with a .315 batting average.

Moncada also slugged 25 long balls, 34 doubles, 5 triples, and also slashed .367/.548/.915. Basically last year Yoan Moncada announced himself to the world and fulfilled the prophecy of being a can’t miss prospect.

Expect Yoan Moncada to still be a key cog of a lineup that laden heavily with Cubans and between Moncada and José Abreu they are expected to mentor ultra-talented Luis Robert.

Cubans in the Chicago White Sox 60 man pool:

• José Abreu 1B/DH
• Yoan Moncada 3B
• Luis Robert OF
• Yasmani Grandal C
• Gio Gonzalez LHP*
• Carlos Rodón LHP*

* Denotes Cuban-American