CHICAGO — Chicago White Sox left fielder Eloy Jimenez will be out five to six months with a ruptured left pectoral tendon. He will need surgery.
It’s a big blow to the lineup with opening day a week away. Jimenez suffered the injury during the second inning of Wednesday’s Cactus League game against the Oakland Athletics after attempting to rob Sean Murphy of a home run.
Jimenez went back to the left-field wall at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., jumped and reached his arm and glove over the fence. He then went to the ground, received an evaluation from the training staff and exited for the clubhouse beyond right field.
The Sox begin the season April 1 in Anaheim, Calif., against the Los Angeles Angels.
Jimenez is one of the offensive stars of a team expected to contend for a division title.
The Sox missed his production for most of last season’s American League wild-card series against the A’s when he was limited to two at-bats, both in Game 3, as he battled a right foot sprain suffered Sept. 24. He missed the final three games of the regular season and left Game 3 after doubling in the third inning.
Jimenez has a team-leading 11 RBIs this spring.
One potential substitution, Adam Engel, is out two to four weeks after suffering a strained right hamstring Saturday. Leury Garcia, Billy Hamilton and Nick Williams are among the options in camp. Matt Reynolds subbed in for Jimenez on Wednesday, and Williams is the starter in left field Thursday.
