Signs and Portents

Romy Gonzalez looked interesting two years ago when he had a cup of coffee with the White Sox. Same thing last season, until he started striking out all the time (thirty-nine whiffs in 105 at-bats). It was the same thing until about two weeks ago, when he came off the IL. Offensively, a whole different player. Then, last night, Gonzalez made two plus plays at second base, one to his left and the other to his right. After making the second play in the top of the sixth inning, he naturally led off the bottom of the sixth against the Tigers. Gonzalez singled for the first Sox hit of the game and scored the first run in a 3-0 win. Does this mean Gonzalez has won the second-base job? Not judging by today’s lineup, which includes the just-activated Elvis Andrus at second. But it does mean Andrus coming back cost Hanser Alberto, not Gonzalez, a roster sport. In White Sox World, this bit of addition through subtraction marks real progress, not to be confused with the recent performances of Luis Robert Jr. (four hits in his last twenty-five at-bats, including three strikeouts last night) and Yoan Moncada (two for his last nineteen). Like I said, White Sox World.