Moncada (back) was activated Friday from the 10-day injured list.

EDGE Analysis

Moncada is set to return to action for the White Sox in Friday night's series opener against the visiting Astros after missing a full month due to lingering lower-back discomfort. He was off to an encouraging start before the early season injury, boasting a .308/.325/.564 batting line with two home runs and four doubles through nine games. He'll hit cleanup Friday.

Moncada (back) is expected to be activated from the injured list Friday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol had hinted previously that it was a good possibility, and Moncada not being in Triple-A Charlotte's lineup Thursday is a good indication his time there on a rehab assignment is over. The third baseman has been on the shelf since mid-April with a nagging back injury. He had an .889 OPS with two homers in nine games before getting hurt.

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol told reporters before Tuesday's game against the Royals that there's a good chance Moncada (back) returns over the weekend series against the Astros, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Grifol seemed to rule out Moncada returning for the series against the Royals, but it seems likely the infielder will be back in the lineup by the end of the weekend. Moncada has been out since the middle of April with his back injury, and he should resume everyday duties once healthy.

Moncada (back) could remain on his rehab assignment at Triple-A Charlotte a bit longer, with a return from the 10-day injured list coming perhaps this weekend for the beginning of the White Sox's homestand, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Pedro Grifol said Sunday that he wouldn't rule out Moncada being activated ahead of Monday's series opener in Kansas City, but all signs point to the third baseman continuing his rehab assignment a little while longer. Moncada has gone 5-for-9 with a home run in his first three rehab games, so his bat looks ready. However, the White Sox want to make sure the back injury that has kept him out since mid-April is behind him.

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said that he hasn't ruled out the possibility of Moncada (back) being activated from the 10-day injured list prior to Monday's game in Kansas City, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. "[Monday is] pretty soon [for a return], but we have to communicate with him after [Sunday's] game to see how he feels," Grifol said of Moncada.

EDGE Analysis

Moncada has been on the shelf since April 14 due to a disc issue, but the 27-year-old was cleared to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Charlotte earlier this weekend and has gone 2-for-6 with a walk and an RBI through his first two contests with the affiliate. Though Grifol's comments suggest that it's more likely that the team will wait until later in the upcoming week to activate Moncada, the White Sox could expedite the infielder's return if he checks out fine after playing seven innings in the field for Charlotte on Sunday. Until the White Sox formally reinstate Moncada, Hanser Alberto should serve as the team's primary option at third base.

Moncada (back) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Friday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The team hasn't indicated how long it plans on keeping Moncada on assignment, but it's a promising sign nonetheless for the 27-year-old third baseman. Moncada was slashing .308/.325/.564 through 40 plate appearances before back soreness forced him onto the injured list April 11.

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol suggested Wednesday that Moncada (back) is close to beginning a rehab assignment, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

There's no set day yet, but Grifol noted that Moncada got his uniform dirty while participating in drills Wednesday afternoon in Chicago. The third baseman landed on the injured list April 11 due to lower back soreness and was later diagnosed with a disc issue. Jake Burger continues to draw everyday starts at the hot corner for the White Sox.

Moncada is dealing with a disc issue in his back and will not be ready for a rehab assignment during the White Sox' April 28-May 4 homestand, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

General manager Rick Hahn noted Thursday that Moncada is improving and it's unlikely to be an injury which requires surgery. However, the third baseman still needs some more down time before he's ready to return to game action. It would appear Moncada is multiple weeks away from a return.

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said Wednesday that Moncada (back) isn't expected to return from the 10-day injured list by the end of the week, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Moncada will need a rehab assignment before being activated, and it's not clear when he'll be ready to report to an affiliate. Grifol has said that the team wants to make sure the third baseman is 100 percent recovered from his back issue before returning from the IL, so it's clear the White Sox are proceeding cautiously. Jake Burger's strong play at the hot corner allows the White Sox to be deliberate with Moncada.

Moncada (back) told White Sox manager Pedro Grifol on Monday that he's feeling better, but the manager said Tuesday that Moncada won't return until he's 100 percent, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

"I haven't spoke to him today," Grifol said. "He was better yesterday. Not sure how close he is to getting back. But he's making improvements. When he does come back, I want him to be feeling good and not at 80 percent or 75 percent." Grifol's quote would seem to suggest Moncada's return isn't imminent, although there's nothing definitive on the third baseman's status. General manager Rick Hahn indicated previously that he hoped Moncada could return during the team's April 21-26 road trip. Jake Burger's performance at third base seemingly makes it easier to take things slowly with Moncada.