Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Mike Clevinger (52) and pitching coach Ethan Katz (21) meet on the mound in the fifth inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Yoán Moncada aims for a healthy 2024 after back issues led to 2 IL trips last season for Chicago White Sox 3B
Yoán Moncada pulled a doubled into the right-field corner during the second inning of an April 2 game against the Houston Astros last season at Minute Maid Park.
The Chicago White Sox third baseman doubled again — this time pulling a grounder that just stayed fair down the first-base line — in the sixth inning. Batting left-handed again, the switch-hitter capped the day by going the other way with a two-run home run to left field in the ninth.
Moncada had a strong start to the season, going 8-for-18 (.444) with two homers and four RBIs in the series against the Astros as he built off his All-Tournament Team performance for Cuba during the World Baseball Classic. Then came the back issues that led to two trips to the injured list.
“During the first half of that season, it was painful, stressful,” Moncada said through an interpreter Thursday at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago in Bridgeport. “I couldn’t do anything. I wanted to do stuff and help the team but I couldn’t. It was a really tough time for me.”
