GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Eloy Jiménez could have received a day or two to relax and recover following his competition for the Dominican Republic in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

But there was Jim¨¦nez hitting cleanup and at designated hitter for the White Sox in Friday afternoon¡¯s 4-4 tie with the Cubs at Camelback Ranch after returning to Arizona Thursday.

¡°We are here,¡± said a smiling Jim¨¦nez. ¡°Why not? I need to get ready for the season."

¡°I was going to give him a day off, and he was like, ¡®I want to play,¡¯¡± White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said. ¡°So all right, let¡¯s play.¡±

Jim¨¦nez went 5-for-11 with one double and two RBIs over three games for the Dominican Republic, which ended at 2-2 in Pool D competition and did not advance despite being a pre-WBC favorite of numerous prognosticators to win the championship. The 26-year-old looked a bit wistful when briefly talking about Venezuela and Puerto Rico finishing above the Dominican Republic, but also raved about the competition.

Wednesday¡¯s 5-2 loss to Puerto Rico didn¡¯t have the desired results, but Jim¨¦nez called it one of the best games he¡¯s ever played in. The White Sox rivalries with the Twins and Guardians are intense but pale in comparison.

¡°That was way, way, way, way, way different,¡± Jim¨¦nez said. ¡°Not even when we play against the Cubs. The Cubs and White Sox have a rivalry, [but] Puerto Rico and Dominican have that rivalry outside of the field. It was crazy. I would say that is the best game I have ever played, one of the best games I have ever been in. Hate to lose, but they played well too. Credit to them.¡±

¡°He had a great experience down there,¡± Grifol said. ¡°That was a really good experience for him and for these guys that are playing in the WBC right now. I¡¯m happy they got this opportunity.¡±

Tim Anderson, Lance Lynn, Kendall Graveman (Team USA), Luis Robert, Yo¨¢n Moncada (Cuba) and Jos¨¦ Ruiz (Venezuela) continue on in WBC play and remain away from White Sox camp. Jim¨¦nez came back to Cactus League action at the right time, with a full house in attendance Friday and another one anticipated at home Saturday vs. the Dodgers.

Otherwise, he would have to adjust from the frenzied WBC stadium crowds, with Jim¨¦nez shaking his head and laughing over some of the things he heard from the fired up and supportive fans during the games.

¡°There were a lot of people there, and the world was watching the games, so it was good,¡± Jim¨¦nez said. ¡°I just feel really good. The field was packed, so it was crazy. All the guys, even with all the fans, it was great.¡±

The noticeably lighter Jimenez, who dropped approximately 25-30 pounds before the start of camp, doubled in his first at-bat Friday against the Cubs. He didn¡¯t want to say anything about how the offseason preparation and weight loss have paid off beyond a desire to keep working.?

When considering his 17 at-bats over four games in the 2021 American League Division Series loss to Houston, Jim¨¦nez gave the edge to the World Baseball Classic regarding overall meaning and intensity. He¡¯s representing his country, after all, which is something he would like to do again.

As for comparing the WBC to the World Series? Well, Jim¨¦nez has no frame of reference in that category. At least, not yet.

¡°When I play in one, I will let you know, because I don¡¯t have the experience of playing. I don¡¯t know how to compare that,¡± Jim¨¦nez said of the World Series. ¡°I know the World Baseball Classic was fun. Something I will never forget, but not the result I wanted. Now we¡¯re here, getting ready for the season, and that¡¯s the most important thing.¡±