Feb. 24--GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Among the bigger challenges first baseman Jose Abreu faced in his 2014 rookie year was learning how to deal with the physical demands of a 162-game major league season.
Abreu, coming off his American League Rookie of the Year campaign, is mindful of those lessons in workload management as he begins his second White Sox spring training. He took some time to rest before arriving at Camelback Ranch well in advance of Tuesday's first full-squad workout and said he is operating at about 80 percent.
"I'm trying to be in the best shape possible for the season, but not just for the beginning, for the whole season long," Abreu said Monday through a team interpreter. "I came fresher (to spring training). I know that I have to save my bullets or save my energy for the long season and not just throw it out in the first weeks."
Abreu dealt with foot and ankle injuries last season and spent a stint on the disabled list in May with tendinitis in his left ankle. Sox manager Robin Ventura said he thinks Abreu looks physically great and doesn't foresee as many ankle problems this year. But Ventura still will monitor his spring workload while taking into account Abreu's desire to put in extra work in the batting cage.
"(I'll) curtail it some, but some guys have a routine they like to use," Ventura said. "He likes to get into the cage. But once you realize it's 162 games, sometimes it's good just to not do anything, just get off your feet. I think he learned some of that last year."
The Sox added Adam LaRoche in the offseason not only to be the designated hitter but also to give Abreu a rest at first base when needed. LaRoche, a Gold Glove winner in 2012, is a strong defensive replacement.
Abreu said he has heard LaRoche is an outstanding player and good person, and he is happy to have him on board. But Abreu's goal is to be ready to play first base every day. He thinks playing the position more will help him improve his defense, which was a work in progress last year.
"That is my goal every day, try to be better in the position and try to be closer to the perfection," Abreu said. "I know that perfection is not possible, but I always work for that."
Ventura prefers to tell Abreu and LaRoche to be ready for anything when it comes to playing the field this season, rather than specifying their roles.
"It's a long season and you never know," Ventura said.
Abreu hit .317 with 36 home runs and 107 RBIs in 145 games last year, 109 of which he played at first base. His power numbers tailed off in the second half, with just seven homers coming after the All-Star break, but the Sox were pleased that he worked to show he was a more complete hitter during that time. For now, he's focusing on the work, not his statistics.
"I cannot say that I will put up the same numbers or be better," Abreu said. "I just can say that I will try to do the best of me every day and help the team win games. If the numbers are the same as last year, it's good for me. But my main focus right now is to try to be the best player possible and help the team."
ckane@tribpub.com
