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White Sox Morneau To Continue Rehab in Birmingham

By Alan Rubenstein

May 9, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA;Justin Morneau will join the White Sox as they begin the second half of the season in Anaheim tonight.Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA;Justin Morneau will join the White Sox as they begin the second half of the season in Anaheim tonight.Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Justin Morneau will continue his rehab with the AA Southern League’s Birmingham Barons during the All-Star break. He has to move because the AAA Charlotte Knights All-Star break coincides with the MLB All-Star break. The Southern League All-Star game was June 21. Two Barons played in the Game. 

Morneau hit .154 in 13 at-bats with one run scored for Charlotte. His batting metrics are not as important as how his elbow is feeling. ComcastSportsNetChicago.Com reported that Morneau said the elbow felt fine after he went 0-2 in his season debut Tuesday night.

"Morneau said: “We’re going to see how everything goes, but I think the hitting and the timing is the most important thing right now,” Morneau said. “We’ll try and get as many at-bats as many days in a row. The more first I play, the more days off I might need in between now. Right now it’s see how many at-bats I can get and see how quick I can get that timing down.”Morneau continued:  “The timing is the most important thing,” Morneau said. “You know, see pitches. The results at this point I’m not too worried about that. Obviously it’s nice to get hits, but to feel good and feel like you’re on time and feel like you’re able to catch up to the fastest pitch is really what you want to feel right now.”"

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    • Morneau expects to need 20-30 at-bats before he is ready to face Major League pitching. There is no indication when or if Morneau will play first before he joins the White Sox. Morneau joining the White Sox should improve Designated Hitter.

    The White Sox Designated Hitters are hitting .246 with eight home runs and 40 RBIs. Avisail Garcia has started 51 of the White Sox 87 games at DH. As DH Garcia is hitting .232 with five home runs and 22 RBIs. When he has played the outfield, Garcia is hitting .263 with no home runs and six RBIs.

    Morneau is likely to slot into the six spot behind Jose Abreu, Melky Cabrera and Todd Frazier and in front of Brett Lawrie. This lineup gives Robin Ventura alternating right and left-handed hitters from one through seven in the lineup.

    Next: White Sox Placed Carlos Rodon on 15 Day Disabled List

    Hitting sixth the White Sox won’t expect exceptional power numbers from Morneau. He has averaged a home run every 22.8 at-bats throughout his career. He hit .310 with three home runs and 15 RBIs in 168 at-bats with Colorado last season. His OPS was .821, but he hit a home run just once every 56 at-bats. They are going to need better power than that.

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