Could Luis Robert's return to the White Sox starting lineup come as soon as Friday?
"He looks good," manager Tony La Russa said. "I think the chances are improving that he can play [Friday], but we'll wait to see what [trainer] James [Kruk] says."
Robert hasn't played since exiting the White Sox' 6-3 loss to the Guardians on April 28 due to a groin injury.
He ran the bases and took swings before Thursday's series finale vs. the Royals, and the initial feedback was positive, La Russa said.
"When I talked to him about his swings and the first couple of sprints, it was positive," La Russa said. "But the most important part of the running came later, and I haven't talked to Kruk about that yet."
Robert's return will be a big boost for the Sox, who will be without fellow outfielder Eloy Jiménez for the next 6-to-8 weeks after he underwent surgery for a torn hamstring tendon.
Yoán Moncada, who's set to begin a rehab assignment Friday with Triple-A Charlotte, also ran the bases before Thursday's game.
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"He looked really good. He was moving good, swinging well," La Russa said of Moncada. "Just talked to him about [how] he's going to get down there and be in a hurry to get back to the big leagues.
"'You've got to come back when you've had enough swings and feel like you're ready to play and your body feels like you can play.' So we'll wait for him, but that's encouraging that he's going out."