Yoan Moncada has dealt with soreness in his legs this season but the White Sox third baseman revealed Thursday he is also dealing with fatigue issues, which may be related to testing positive for the coronavirus before summer camp got underway.
“My body hasn’t felt the same after the virus,” Moncada said through a translator before the Sox opened a four-game series against the Royals in Kansas City. “I feel a lack of energy and strength. It’s a weird feeling. It’s different. When I got to Chicago, I was feeling strong and with energy. Now it’s a daily battle to find that energy to go through the day.”
Moncada is batting .248/.338/.421 with five homers and six doubles in 31 games. He was third in the American League with a .315 batting average and 11th in slugging (.548) with 25 homers last season.
After a good start, Moncada is batting .202 with three homers in his last 22 games.
“I hope he can play to the excellent level he has in the past,” manager Rick Renteria said. “But we are aware of the things he’s going through on a daily basis.”
Moncada missed three games with soreness in the left hamstring before returning Wednesday to play against the Twins. He said he feels it when he runs.
“There is discomfort in my leg but it’s not something that won’t let me play,” Moncada said. “It’s not full strength like I’m used to, but I’m managing it.”
Moncada’s recent lack of production hasn’t been a huge hindrance to the Sox (22-15), who have won 12 of their last 16 games, because power surges have come from so many different players. All things considered, Moncada isn’t beating himself up over his performance.
“It hasn’t been a bad season, even though all the struggles, I don’t think it’s been a bad season,” Moncada said. “Especially considering how I started playing the season — I wasn’t doing anything for two weeks or so and then I just started playing. I would say so far, so good.”
Moncada was asymptomatic when he tested positive during the team’s intake period in July.
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