Pregame notes: Miguel Vargas hopeful to return in 2025

The White Sox are coming off two of their worst played games since the All-Star break and are down to productive position player regulars in Luis Robert Jr. (who is probably out for the year) and Miguel Vargas (who has optimism that he isn't).

Things seem bleak, but Will Venable has both praised the resilience of his player group, and also committed whole hog to being consistently upbeat in his demeanor. Which one keeps him from flipping tables--or really just the one table--in the White Sox clubhouse?

"Probably both," Venable said. "I can do my best to lead with that kind of consistency, and I think at the end of the day it's really our players and their ability to learn what we can from tough situations and move on, knowing that we have another opportunity. These guys have done that over and over this year, which has been great. One way or the other, that's how you survive, that's how you get there at the end. And I know we're learning and growing from all these experiences."

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Miguel Vargas was placed on the injured list with a left hand sprain, and replaced on both the roster and in the lineup at first base by Tim Elko, which is likely a function of a left-handed opposing starter than a direct transfer of playing time.

Moreover, the White Sox are hitting an optimistic tone about Vargas' outlook for the final month of 2025.

"No break or fracture, just strain," Venable said. "So he'll rehab over these next few days. Obviously we put him on the IL, but hopeful that after his 10 days that he's close and has progressed to the point where we can activate him."

"I feel good about it and I look forward to being back soon," said Vargas, once more speaking with his left hand wrapped. "I've been doing all exercises, squeezing my hands, trying to get strength. I did put some ice there too. I'm doing everything I can with my hand so I can be back as soon as I can."

Vargas' actual return timeline will be determined by how he feels swinging the bat and how quickly he can take at-bats without issue, which is something that might require a rehab assignment to fully suss out. So, a 10-day projection still sounds optimistic at this stage, but the initial look of his injury seemed potentially catastrophic.

"It was hard for me just to see how hard he went down, but again, that’s nothing you can do about it," Luis Robert Jr. said via interpreter. "Things like that happen in the game."

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Speaking of Robert, he address the media and didn't offer any more optimism about playing again this season.

"That is my mindset, but we’ll see if we have enough time," Robert said via interpreter.

Robert seemed charmed, if not entirely convinced about Chris Getz expressing commitment to keeping him around. After two years of trade rumors, it's hard to get him to talk about his future with any degree of certainty.

"I know that it’s a possibility of me staying here for two years—that’s what is my contract, right?" Robert said via interpreter. "I will be happy to stay here as long as they want me here. But I also know that this is something that things can change. But yeah, definitely I would like to stay here. I want to be part of this team going forward into the future. It’s good.

I definitely would like to stay here. It’s also good to hear that they are thinking of me for next year and to be a part of this team."

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José Abreu is scheduled to return to Rate Field during the last two home games of the season and throw out a ceremonial first pitch. A lot of people will be happy to see the former MVP back in the building, but only one has an on-record quote that I can slap in right at this moment.

"I just Facetimed him and we were talking," Robert said via interpreter. "It’s good to have him around and he has been an influential person ever since I came here. It’s good to be around him."

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Speaking of returns from men named José, former White Sox shortstop Jose Valentín is back in the building for Puerto Rican heritage night. He reminisced about the 2000 team for a bit and is throwing out a ceremonial first pitch as well.

"A lot of good memories, friends, the fans, I think it was the best five years of my career here in Chicago."

WAR agrees.

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Both Yoendrys Gómez and Carlos Rodón are facing their original teams on Friday night.

Colson Montgomery is back in the lineup, even if his comments on Thursday night about his left side/oblique only seemed cautiously optimistic, he's certainly needed.

"It’s pretty much the same thing [that caused me to miss a game in Atlanta]," Montgomery said. "It just lingered on. It got to a point where we just wanted to address it and get it out of the way, address it early so I wouldn’t have to miss too much time."

First pitch: White Sox vs. Yankees

TV: CHSN

Radio: ESPN 1000 AM, WRTO 1200 AM

Lineups: