After missing two games with a lingering back issue, Colson Montgomery is back in the lineup for the White Sox against Atlanta.
The promotion and stellar MLB debut of outfield prospect Braden Montgomery has Chicago White Sox fans riding a high. It also has the team sitting in sole possession of first place in the AL Central for the first time since April 19, 2022.
But above all else, the arrival of Braden Montgomery has inspired even more optimism for the White Sox future. The already promising young core now appears to have a new member, and looking ahead towards years of a "Montgomery & Montgomery" tandem headlining baseball on the South Side gives fans plenty of reason to be excited.
Fortunately, White Sox fans won't have to wait any longer to see both Montgomerys in action at the same time.
White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery had not played since Sunday's series finale against the Philadelphia Phillies. After an off day on Monday, he was held out of the lineup for Chicago's first two games against Atlanta because of a lingering back issue that has been bothering him for several weeks.
Montgomery tweaked his back on a swing a few weeks ago and has been playing through it. While it may not be impacting his production much — Montgomery has an .859 OPS with three home runs over his last 12 games — it reached a point where it was "bothering him off the field," he told White Sox media this week.
According to Colson, he has been feeling better after receiving treatment and remained day-to-day throughout the week. That optimism now appears to have been warranted, as Montgomery is back in the lineup for Thursday's series finale against the Braves.
His return is important for reasons that don't need to be stated. Luisangel Acuña and his .465 OPS have been filling in during Montgomery's absence. The White Sox are already without Munetaka Murakami, Kyle Teel, and Austin Hays. As magical as this team has been, a roster can only withstand so much, and it's essential for Chicago's other impact bats to stay healthy while they await reinforcements.
Also returning to the lineup on Thursday evening is outfielder Everson Pereira, who has a .763 OPS in 18 games this season, but has not played since April 28.
Pereira is a big addition to the outfield that already has been getting early production from Braden Montgomery. In his first two MLB games, Montgomery has four hits, two doubles, and a walk-off home run.
Both Colson Montgomery and Everson Pereira bring some additional pop to the lineup that will help support the rookie.
