Jose Abreu finally got a day off. Hopefully his mother approved.
Abreu had played in all 102 White Sox games this season before Rick Renteria gave him a day off in Sunday’s series finale against Minnesota. Playing as much as possible is a point of pride for Abreu, who appeared in at least 145 games his first four years before missing 34 last season.
But Renteria wasn’t going to let Abreu talk his way into Sunday’s lineup.
”As we were watching this whole week unfold, you can see he’s tired. And yesterday (convincing him to take a day off) was not as hard as you might think,” Renteria said. “He comes into my office every night kind of yelling at me, and so yesterday he was coming in and I said, ‘You’re not going to convince me, you’re not getting in the lineup, so don’t say a thing.’”
According to Renteria, Abreu said he’d have to call his mom to make sure she wouldn’t get upset because she “sees him as a grinder and he’s got to get out there and he talks to her, and she’s probably going to be upset he’s not in the lineup.”
“So I said, ‘That’s OK, if you need me to, I’ll talk to her,’” Renteria said.
Speaking of days off…
James McCann also was out of the lineup Sunday.
Named to his first All-Star team, McCann has slumped in July, hitting just .178 in 18 games. With Monday’s off-day, McCann can get two days off to rest and refresh for the last two months of the season.
“We’ll have (day games after night games) where some adjustments will have to be made, absolutely,” Renteria said. “And he’s been another guy I’ve been running out there a lot, whether it’s been catching or DH’ing. He needs a break. He’s really pushed himself, he’s been a big part of who we are, obviously through the first half and even now catching a lot of these guys.
There will also be cameos for Welington Castillo behind the plate, and chances for McCann to serve as the designated hitter.
“Very important for him and Wely to start splitting a little bit of the time,” Renteria said. “I want Mac to take most of the time with these guys, but we’re going to continue to make some adjustments and let him be who he is.”
Goins stays
To make room for Eloy Jimenez, Jose Rondon was designated for assignment. The Sox chose to keep Ryan Goins instead of Rondon, who was hitting .197 in 55 games.
Goins entered Sunday hitting .308 and has impressed Renteria with his defense at shortstop.
“He showed an improvement this year with our guys in the minor leagues,” Renteria said. “And he brings quite a bit of experience with him. There’s a calmness to this young man. Not there wasn’t with (Rondon), but there’s something that allows you an opportunity to feel comfortable with him doing any number of things, whether it’s playing short, second, third and even working in the outfield, as well.”
