Shoulder surgery ended Jeff Keppinger’s 2013 season in July and now it looks like it will also cause the White Sox infielder to begin this season on the disabled list.
Dan Hayes of CSNChicago.com reports that Keppinger “has been restricted by tightness in his surgically repaired shoulder” throughout spring training and will spend Opening Day on the DL “barring a huge turnaround.”
He’s yet to play defense in a game and can’t even make throws to first base when fielding ground balls in practice because it causes pain.
Keppinger signed a three-year, $12 million deal with the White Sox last offseason following a career-year at age 32, but hit just .253 with four homers and a .600 OPS in 117 games before being shut down. Even if he gets healthy he’s likely slated for a part-time role in Chicago.
