Injury Report: Weekly White Sox, Cubs update

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Each week, CSNChicago.com takes a look at the injury report from both the White Sox and Cubs, presented by Service King.

WHITE SOX

- On Tuesday, Nate Jones took a line drive off his foot and left the game. X-rays were negative, and the White Sox setup man was listed as day-to-day with a bruised foot. Manager Robin Ventura said he was available to pitch on Wednesday, but he has yet to make an appearance. Look for that to come some time this weekend against the Kansas City Royals.

- Kevan Smith has been out with a sacroiliac joint dysfunction (back) injury since April 26. The catcher's return is scheduled to be late May or early June. When he returns, he'll likely be go back to Triple-A Charlotte, as the White Sox have two catchers on the main roster — Alex Avila and Dioner Navarro.

- Jake Petricka was placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 5 with a right hip impingement. His return date has yet to be determined, but I'm sure the White Sox are hoping it's relatively soon with the bullpen's recent struggles.

- Daniel Webb was placed on the 15-day DL on April 29, one day after making his 2016 debut, with a right elbow flexor inflammation. Webb pitched a scoreless inning with three strikeouts in his only appearance of the season. His return date is also uncertain.

CUBS

- Miguel Montero returned from the disabled list and has appeared in five games over the past week, including four starts. In that span, Montero is 2-for-10, but has his on-base percentage up to .467 thanks to four walks and only three strikeouts. He even has a stolen base.

- Matt Szczur was sent out on a rehab assignment this week, drawing a walk and scoring a run in his first game with Double-A Tennessee. Szczur played a huge role with the big-league club, posting a 1.041 OPS in 34 plate appearances before a hamstring injury sent him to the disabled list.

Szczur should be back soon, though his presence will make for a tough decision for Theo Epstein's front office as the most likely candidate to be sent down — catcher Tim Federowicz — is out of options, so he can't be sent back down to the minors without first passing through waivers. The Cubs almost assuredly will not want to risk losing "Fed," especially with David Ross' age and Montero's back issues this season.

- If Anthony Rizzo were to get hurt and miss extended time, who would play behind him at first base? Joe Maddon explained his thought process Thursday with Javy Baez and Kris Bryant representing the Rizzo backup options.

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