White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said Moncada (back) has been cleared to play in Thursday's opener against the Astros, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The White Sox were holding off on any announcements regarding Moncada's availability until he got through a workout Wednesday, and that evidently went off without a hitch. The third baseman had been dealing with some lower-back stiffness, but it won't be enough of an obstacle to keep him off the diamond to start the season. Moncada will be trying to bounce back from a dreadful 2022 campaign which saw him post just a .626 OPS.