Pregame notes: Everson Pereira returns to a different White Sox roster from when he left

At an earlier point of the season, when it seemed the White Sox would be going through their typical year-long search for viable hitters, Everson Pereira seemed like a potential port in a storm. He's someone with at least the physical ability to hit 20 home runs in a season, even if coaxing it out of him would be pulling off a developmental feat that neither the Yankees nor Rays could complete.

"A real toolsy guy," said Will Venable. "Really good defender. Obviously a ton of power. We've seen him make good swing decisions, so he's made a huge impact."

Instead, Pereira has sustained a dizzying array of injuries--oblique strain that slowed him in spring, sprained ankle that cost him 10 days in April, pectoral strain that knocked him out for six weeks, concussion that sidelined him for roughly another six weeks--that has limited him to a .232/.299/.420 line in just 21 games. Maybe "dizzying" is a little on the nose for word choice, given his most recent work to get off the injured list.

"I was feeling good like two weeks ago, my worries were I couldn’t pass the reaction test and then ultimately I couldn’t get past that, I couldn’t be able to be active," Pereira said via interpreter.

It was clear he didn't enjoy the reaction test.

"Just whole different things like memory, stuff that you have to remember, you have to give quick answers on different questions," Pereira said via interpreter. "It’s just very difficult."

Now that he's back, activated while fellow power-over-hit right-handed outfielder Junior Pérez was optioned as the corresponding move, Pereira is inheriting something closer to Pérez's role, since the Sox offense has uncovered a healthy stable of boppers while he's struggled to find footing.

"The team has changed since he's been out," Venable said. "He'll be more in a role where you'll see him against left-handed pitching probably more."

On a Venable-led team, being a platoon player still involves pretty regular action, even if not starting reps, and Pereira is in center field Monday night against left-hander Max Fried. It's just that with Randal Grichuk added since the Sox wore through their supply of right-handed hitting outfielders, Pereira's arrival clouds the picture for the still-rehabbing Austin Hays.

Monday is Day 11 of Hays rehab assignment, which has a 20-day maximum and can allow the White Sox to wait through the smoke clears from the trade deadline to handle the potential crunch. For now, Venable said there's simply still work to do for the 31-year-old's return from a nagging calf strain.

"Still in that spot where he's continuing to build volume and make sure that he's recovering well," Venable said. "He's been up to seven innings out in the field, mixing with some DH."

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Colson Montgomery is back in the lineup after missing Sunday with a bruised shin, but not playing in the field. Venable thinks he could have if needed, and that he expects Montgomery at shortstop on Tuesday. Given the way the Sox prioritize platoon matchups, maybe Luisangel Acuña would have started Monday in some fashion regardless.

On Sunday, Montgomery said he'll be wear the same leg guard model that Jorge Soler uses upon return, rather than the homemade version that Kyle Teel offered to make out of his catching gear.

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José Urquidy is in the organization after being acquired for DSL reliever Félix Doroteo, but he's not in Chicago, he's headed to Triple-A Charlotte.

The 31-year-old former Astros rotation mainstay had 6 1/3 forgettable relief innings for the Pirates in April, but has run up a 3.66 ERA in 83 2/3 innings while starting for Triple-A Indianapolis. He's expected to continue starting with the Knights, but could also just be a multi-inning option of any stripe at this point.

"Whatever the need is, I think that there's versatility there with him," Venable said. "He's going to be in Charlotte. He's an option for us. We know how quickly things change here and there'll be need and it could be tomorrow for all we know."

Maybe tomorrow as a 27th man, since it's been absolute pouring at Rate Field at multiple junctures on Monday. But Venable said at his pregame session that they were expecting to start on time.

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This seems like a crucial outing for Noah Schultz, at least to hear Schultz tell it. Venable continues to just contend his radical idea that all major league games are important.

"I think it's just an important outing because we just have to find a way to beat the Yankees," Venable said. "Certainly in Noah's progression and development and continuing to be at his best, he needs to pitch well to do that. For him, for all of us, it's an important outing."

First pitch: White Sox vs. Yankees

TV: CHSN

Radio: ESPN 1000 AM, 107.9 FM La Ley (Spanish)

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