The White Sox became a better baseball team the minute Yoan Moncada walked into the stadium Thursday.
Just as I started to wonder whether Moncada would be back anytime soon after a positive COVID-19 test, the third baseman was at Guaranteed Rate Field after testing negative twice and being cleared to return.
Thank goodness, Moncada did not have severe symptoms. He described losing his sense of taste and smell while he was quarantined, but he was otherwise fine. And both he and manager Rick Renteria seem to believe he can be ready in time to face the Minnesota Twins in the season opener July 24.
Fingers crossed.
Pitcher Jose Ruiz, the other positive COVID test for the Sox, also has been cleared to return to baseball. He reported to Schaumburg to join the taxi squad.
Upcoming 'preseason' games
I'm watching the Sox's intrasquad game as I type on Thursday night. It's fun to see baseball of any sort -- and Dylan Cease looked really, really good against his teammates, eight strikeouts in 4.2 innings. And Edwin Encarnacion homered twice off Carlos Rodon.
But, it will be more exciting to see the Sox test themselves against other clubs before the season starts. That will happen Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. The Sox will play the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Sunday night. Then they will host the Cubs on Monday before the Milwaukee Brewers come to the South Side on Wednesday.
And here's a twist: The Sox will be on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball when they play the Cubs. Can you remember the last time the Sox were on Sunday night? Me neither.
Nevertheless, I'll be watching the home team call on NBC Sports Chicago with Jason Benetti and Steve Stone. Unlike the ESPN broadcast team, Benetti and Stone are knowledgeable about the Sox, and we won't have to listen to a Cubs lovefest from Rick Sutcliffe.
Regardless of what channel you watch, doesn't it help the soul to have baseball back?
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