White Sox's Postseason Hopes Take Another Hit After Star Leaves Injured

Chicago White Sox infielder Colson Montgomery suffered a left wrist contusion after being hit by a pitch during Wednesday's game, forcing him to leave the field. Munetaka Murakami took over for Montgomery at first base, while Miguel Vargas shifted to third. The 24-year-old has been a part of the MLB club throughout the season, contributing with 31 home runs and 84 RBIs.

However, Montgomery's on-base percentage and strikeout rate have been subpar, leading to an OPS of only .710. His impressive performance in the second half of the season wasn't enough to prevent the injury from derailing the team's postseason hopes. Currently, Chicago is leading the NL Central by just 0.5 games, but they face a 5-3 deficit against their division rival in the next game.

If Chicago loses their top spot, the Toronto Blue Jays could advance to the Wild Card round. Montgomery's recent performance has been particularly concerning, with a .104 batting average and an OPS above .500 since the start of September, striking out 25 times in 15 games. If Montgomery misses time due to the injury, Luisangel Acuna may see more action at shortstop, with Vargas and Murakami playing in the infield.

The White Sox are hoping it isn't necessary, as Montgomery could be a crucial bat for their potential postseason run. His return is expected on Thursday at 6:40 p.m. CT when they commence another series against the Detroit Tigers.