Both teams are coming in with choppy recent form — the White Sox are 2-3 in their last 5, and the Guardians are also 2-3 before Thursday's win flipped them to 3-3 in their last 6. Chicago did look like an offense in the Baltimore series, putting up 8 and 9 runs in back-to-back wins before the bats went quiet. For Cleveland, this stretch without Jose Ramirez has been the real test. Ramirez (fractured left hamate, surgery June 16) just had his stitches removed Tuesday and is still weeks away from returning. The Guardians are managing without their most dangerous bat and doing an acceptable job of it.
- 7-Day ILEverson Pereira (RF) — Pereira (concussion) is making progress in his recovery but is still experiencing concussion symptoms, MLB.com reports.07/01
- 10-Day-ILMunetaka Murakami (1B) — Manager Will Venable said Monday that Murakami (hamstring) traveled with the team for its road trip and is considered day-to-day, but the White Sox haven't yet established a timeline for the first baseman to begin a rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.07/02
- 15-Day-ILTyler Gilbert (RP) — The White Sox placed Gilbert on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a left shoulder impingement.06/10
- 60-Day-ILAustin Hays (LF) — Hays has been pulled off his rehab assignment at Triple-A Charlotte due to a recurrence of left calf soreness, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.06/09
- 60-Day-ILJordan Leasure (RP) — Leasure (forearm) said Friday that he will be shut down from throwing for four weeks, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.05/30
- 60-Day-ILKy Bush (SP) — Bush (elbow) had a setback in his recovery from Tommy John surgery and is unlikely to return until the second half of the season, MLB.com reports.05/26
- 60-Day-ILDrew Thorpe (SP) — Thorpe (elbow) recently underwent an appendectomy but has resumed throwing, MLB.com reports.05/26
- 60-Day-ILPrelander Berroa (RP) — Berroa is dealing with right elbow inflammation and will have his rehab stint paused, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.05/17
- 60-Day-ILMike Vasil (RP) — The White Sox transferred Vasil (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Tuesday.05/08
- 60-Day-ILTanner Murray (LF) — The White Sox transferred Murray (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Monday.05/08
- 60-Day-ILBrooks Baldwin (LF) — The White Sox transferred Baldwin (elbow) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.05/08
- 10-Day-ILJose Ramirez (3B) — Ramirez had stitches removed from his left hand Tuesday and could soon begin swinging a bat as the next step in his rehab process, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.07/01
- 10-Day-ILAngel Martinez (LF) — Martinez (foot) has shed his walking boot, is playing catch and hitting off a batting tee, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.06/28
The injury picture on both sides is worth acknowledging. The White Sox have a full infirmary — 1B Munetaka Murakami (hamstring), RF Everson Pereira (concussion), LF Austin Hays (calf, 60-day IL), plus multiple arms on the shelf. Will Venable's club has been winning shorthanded, which is genuinely impressive. Cleveland's list is shorter but the Ramirez absence looms largest — you can plug in a replacement at third base, but you can't replace what he means to the middle of that lineup. Angel Martinez (foot) is also out. The Guardians need their pitching to carry the weight, and on Friday night, Williams is the right man for the job.