Chase

Meidroth

Meidroth appeared as a pinch hitter off the bench on Saturday night and had Sunday’s contest meant anything for the White Sox, he likely would have returned to action. Instead, he’ll get an extra day of rest as the White Sox get ready for their Wild card matchup.

Meidroth didn’t start because of hamstring discomfort, but it’s a good sign that he was able to enter the game and stick around to play second base. He still might get Sunday off, especially since the game is now a meaningless one for the White Sox.

Meidroth receives some additional time off to rest and recover with Chicago having already punched their ticket to the postseason. The 25-year-old infielder remains out for the second straight contest due to left hamstring discomfort. It’ll be rookie Sam Antonacci moving to second base with Randal Grichuk entering the lineup in left field.

White Sox’ skipper Will Venable noted that Meidroth has been playing through several minor injuries, with the hamstring issue ranking at the top of the list. He’s expected to be available off the bench on Friday and should return to the starting lineup on Saturday. Sam Antonacci will cover second base in his absence while Randal Grichuk will draw a start in left field and will bat seventh against Rockies’ right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano.

Meidroth’s home run was his 16th of the season. He hit a three-run shot off Daniel Lynch in the third inning. Meidroth has two home runs and seven RBI over his last two games. He’s hitting .271 with a .756 OPS and 63 RBI with five games left in the regular season.

Meidroth got the game started with a bang, crushing Matthew Liberatore’s very first pitch for a 398-foot (103.7-mph EV) leadoff home run. He then led off the third inning with a 391-foot (103.9-mph EV) solo shot that tied the game at 2-2. The 25-year-old infielder is having a solid season at the dish, slashing .269/.345/.402 with 14 homers, 53 RBI and three stolen bases in 591 plate appearances.

It’s an extremely rare off day for Vargas with Colson Montgomery taking over at the hot corner and Chase Meidroth at shortstop. The 26-year-old is in the middle of a career year at the dish, slashing .250/.361/.482 with 95 runs scored, 30 home runs, 79 RBI and 16 steals in 627 plate appearances over 142 games.

Meidroth has started every game this week at second base for the White Sox, so he’ll get a well-deserved day off in this one. Sam Antonacci will cover second base while Brenton Doyle draws a start in center field and will hit eighth for the White Sox against Twins’ right-hander Zebby Matthews.

Meidroth has been stuck on 49 RBI for 10 days now. He is 4-for-32 with no extra-base hits and one walk in his last eight games.

Meidroth’s home run was his 12th of the year. He hit a two-run shot off Reds reliever Julian Garcia in the sixth inning. Meidroth returned to the lineup after missing two games with a wrist injury. Not known for his power, Meidroth has five home runs, 11 runs scored and 12 RBI over his last 14 games.