Report: Craig Kimbrel's $16M Contract Option for 2022 Season Exercised by White Sox
Nov 6, 2021
Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel looks for a sign during a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians in Cleveland, Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
The Chicago White Sox reportedly will pick up relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel's $16 million team option for the 2022 season.
The 33-year-old posted a 2.26 ERA (0.91 WHIP) with 100 strikeouts in 59.2 innings in 2021 for the Chicago Cubs and White Sox.
In July, the Cubs dealt Kimbrel, who posted 23 saves and a 0.49 ERA on the North Side, as they tore down their roster for a complete rebuild.
The eight-time All-Star did not have the same success when he moved to the South Side, where he had a 5.09 ERA in 23 innings.
Kimbrel, who has closed games since 2011, did not do so for the White Sox, with Liam Hendriks holding down the job.
He led the National League in saves in 2011, 2012 and 2014 and MLB in the same stat in 2013 when he was a member of the Atlanta Braves. Kimbrel also won the 2018 World Series with the Boston Red Sox.
Now he'll be back for the White Sox in 2022 as the defending American League Central champions look to make some postseason noise.
Report: Tony La Russa Expected to Return as White Sox Manager Next Season
Oct 14, 2021
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 10: Manager Tony La Russa #22 of the Chicago White Sox walks on the field for a pitching change in the second inning during game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Houston Astros at Guaranteed Rate Field on October 10, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa will reportedly return for the 2022 season, according to ESPN.
The 77-year-old's future with the club was in question after Chicago's season ended Tuesday with a 10-1 loss to the Houston Astros in Game 4 of the American League Division Series.
La Russa said after Tuesday's loss that his return would be dependent on management and then the players, according to ESPN. White Sox sluggers Tim Anderson and Jose Abreu had publicly petitioned for La Russa to return after being eliminated from the postseason.
"I want him to be back," Anderson said Thursday, per ESPN. "At the end of the day, my decision doesn't really matter. I guess it all depends on what the front office thinks. ... I definitely want him in. I think he did a great job with the way he managed and just being open."
La Russa's first year back with the White Sox wasn't entirely trouble-free, though. Entering the 2021 season, there were concerns about his ability to manage a young roster. Those concerns turned into reality when he butted heads with designated hitter Yermin Mercedes in May after the rookie hit a home run on a 3-0 pitch with Chicago already holding a significant lead.
The veteran manager then publicly criticized Mercedes, who later announced he would be stepping away from baseball after being demoted to Triple-A, though he pivoted and decided to continue playing.
La Russa hadn't managed a major-league club since 2011 when he led the St. Louis Cardinals to a World Series title. The White Sox finished the 2021 season with a 93-69 record, finishing first in the AL Central for the first time since 2008.
Now that his first year back with the White Sox is in the books, La Russa is expected to lead Chicago to greater heights in 2022. He previously managed the White Sox from 1979-86.
Tony La Russa Says Astros' Kendall Graveman Intentionally Hit Jose Abreu with Pitch
Oct 12, 2021
Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu is hit by a Houston Astros' Kendall Graveman pitch in the eighth inning during Game 4 of a baseball American League Division Series Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa was understandably upset when slugger Jose Abreu was hit by a pitch in the eighth inning of Tuesday's 10-1 American League Division Series loss to the Houston Astros.
After the game, which eliminated the White Sox from the postseason, La Russa told reporters he believes Astros pitcher Kendall Graveman plunked Abreu on purpose.
When Abreu was hit, the Astros were up 7-1 on the White Sox, so it's unlikely Graveman struck him intentionally. However, some South Siders threw trash on the field after the play, showing their displeasure with the Astros hitting their best hitter.
Astros second baseman Jose Altuve was hit by a pitch earlier in Tuesday's game by Carlos Rodon, which may be why La Russa believed Graveman hitting Abreu was intentional. Still, it's hard to believe, especially given the score.
It was a disappointing afternoon for the White Sox, who underperformed this postseason after finishing first in the AL Central with a 93-69 record. They won just one game against the Astros and failed to score more than one run in two of the four games.
While the White Sox will now watch the remainder of the postseason from the couch, the Astros move on to face the Boston Red Sox in the AL Championship Series. Houston has home-field advantage for the series.
The Red Sox upset the Tampa Bay Rays in four games to reach the ALCS for the second time in four seasons. Boston dropped the ALDS series opener to Tampa 6-2 before going on to win three straight.
The Red Sox have received significant production from Enrique Hernandez, Kyle Schwarber and Rafael Devers this postseason. They'll be hoping the trio can replicate that success against the Astros.
However, Boston finished the regular season with a 2-5 record against Houston. If that's any indication of how the series will go, it's going to be a tough one for the Red Sox.
Astros Advance to Face Red Sox in ALCS After Beating White Sox 10-1 in ALDS Game 4
Oct 12, 2021
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 12: Jose Altuve #27 and Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros celebrate after scoring on a two-run double by Carlos Correa #1during the 3rd inning of Game 4 of the American League Division Series against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on October 12, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
The Houston Astros have reached the American League Championship Series for the fifth consecutive year after their 10-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday.
After Monday's rainout, the Astros used Game 1 starter Lance McCullers Jr. with a chance to close out the ALDS. The right-hander spun a gem in his first outing against the White Sox with 6.2 shutout innings in a 6-1 win.
The White Sox turned to Carlos Rodon for the first time in the series. The southpaw dealt with injuries in the second half of the regular season, but he looked great in a limited role down the stretch with a 2.00 ERA over 18 innings in September.
Rodon came out of the gate strong, striking out Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez in the top of the first inning on 99 mph fastballs.
The Astros eventually got to Rodon in the top of the third on Carlos Correa's two-run double that put them up 2-1. They broke the game open in the fourth against Michael Kopech on an RBI single by Martin Maldonado and Alex Bregman's double that scored two runs to make it a 5-1 score.
Houston's pitching staff did a great job against Chicago's lineup. McCullers and fiverelievers combined to allow one run on sevenhits with ninestrikeouts.
The Astros have become the third team in MLB history to reach the League Championship Series in at least five straight years. The Oakland Athletics (1971-75) and Atlanta Braves (1995-99) are the only other teams to accomplish that feat.
Notable Game Stats
Lance McCullers Jr. (HOU): 4 IP, 5 H, ER, 3 BB, 5 K
Carlos Correa (HOU): 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Alex Bregman (HOU): 1-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI, BB
Carlos Rodon (CHW): 2.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Gavin Sheets (CHW): 2-for-4, Solo HR
Balanced Astros Peaking at the Right Time
Coming into the postseason, everyone knew that Houston's strength was its offense. The lineup led all of Major League Baseball in runs scored (863), batting average (.267), on-base percentage (.339) and wRC+ (116).
Based on their four games against the White Sox, the Astros' ability to score isn't just limited to the regular season. They scored at least six runs in all four games and finished with 37runs total.
It was the usual suspects who were doing most of the damage for Houston. Bregman, Correa Michael Brantley, Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez combined to go 26-for-78 with six doubles, three homers and 22 RBI.
One big thing that separates Houston's lineup from virtually every other group in MLB is the group's collective ability to put the bat on the ball. The AL West champs were the only team in the league with a strikeout rate under 20 percent during the regular season (19.4).
That ability to make hard contact without striking out a lot adds up to what the Astros did to the White Sox in this series.
Even though the offense gets a lot of the attention, the Astros pitching staff has been very good in 2021. They had the fourth-best ERA in the AL during the regular season (3.78).
They held Chicago to six runs in their three wins. Luis Garcia was the only pitcher who threw more than one inning to allow more than one earned run.
McCullers didn't look nearly as sharp in this game as he did in Game 1. He gave up five hits and walked three in just four innings, but the White Sox only managed one run against him.
Astros manager Dusty Baker turned to his bullpen for the final five innings. That unit allowed seven earned runs in 5.1 innings during Game 3. They responded by holding the White Sox to twohitsin five innings today.
All of the pieces have come together at the right time to send the Astros back to the ALCS and move them four wins away from their third trip to the World Series since 2017.
Second-Half Struggles Plague White Sox in Playoff Loss
One benefit the White Sox had playing in the AL Central this season was a lack of competition.
Chicago had the second-worst record of any division champion (93-69) in MLB this season, but its 13-game edge over second-place Cleveland was the widest of any division winner.
Some of this speaks to how good the White Sox are, but it also points to how bad the AL Central was in 2021.
There was never a doubt basically from the start of May that the White Sox were going to win the division. That ability to put things on cruise control was both a benefit and curse.
Even with serious injuries to Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert early in the year, the White Sox continued to play well. That's a testament to the amount of depth accumulated by the front office over the years.
One thing the lack of competition in the AL Central didn't do was shine a light on how the White Sox played after the All-Star break. They were 54-35 with a plus-117 run differential in the first half.
In the second half, the White Sox went 39-34 with a plus-43 run differential. The main culprit for those struggles was pitching. Their ERA went from 3.58 pre-All-Star break to 3.90 after the All-Star break.
Craig Kimbrel was brought in to give Chicago a dominant late-inning duo, alongside Liam Hendriks. Instead, he completely collapsed after being acquired from the Chicago Cubs with a 5.09 ERA in 23 innings.
Even if you don't like role change, this is kind of nuts. I mean it's just pitching an inning earlier:
Kimbrel allowed 2 ER and 1 HR in 39 appearances with the Cubs this season (0.49 ERA); he has allowed 15 ER and 6 HR in 25 appearances with the White Sox this season, 5.70 ERA
Rodon, who was so dominant in the first half and made his first All-Star team, only threw 43 innings in the second half. His adrenaline was clearly off the charts Tuesday for his first playoff start.
After averaging 97.6 mph with his fastball in the first inning, though, Rodon struggled to maintain that velocity in the second:
Chicago only got 12.1 combined innings out of starters Rodon, Dylan Cease, Lance Lynn and Lucas Giolito in the series.
This is a disappointing end to the season for a White Sox team that won the AL Central for the first time since 2008. They are certainly going to be a factor in the playoff race next season with Rodon and Kimbrel, depending on if his $16 million team option is picked up, are their only significant free agents.
But the second half and postseason did highlight the need for some potential roster adjustments the front office can make heading into 2022.
What's Next?
The Astros will host the Boston Red Sox in Game 1 of the ALCS on Friday at Minute Maid Park.
Astros vs. White Sox Game 4 Postponed; Series Schedule Updated for 2021 MLB Playoffs
Oct 11, 2021
Chicago White Sox's Tim Anderson (7) and Leury Garcia, center, celebrate with Liam Hendriks, right, after beating the Houston Astros 12-6 in Game 3 of a baseball American League Division Series Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Monday's scheduled Game 4 matchup between the Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros has been postponed due to rain.
The game will now take place at 2:07 p.m. ET on Tuesday, per Jesse Rogers of ESPN.
If the series goes to five games, the decisive matchup will take place Wednesday night, per Rogers.
Houston currently holds a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-five American League Division Series, although Chicago is coming off a 12-6 win in Game 3.
The White Sox were preparing to use Carlos Rodon for the first time in the playoffs in Game 4 and could keep that plan even after the pitcher dealt with arm soreness toward the end of the regular season.
Rodon had a 2.37 ERA during the year, but he didn't make it past five innings in any of his last eight starts.
"It all depends on which Rodon is present," Astros manager Dusty Baker said of expectations against the starter.
Houston, meanwhile, could use either scheduled starter Jose Urquidy or Game 1 starter Lance McCullers Jr. on regular rest. McCullers allowed zero runs in 6.2 innings in last week's win over Chicago.
The day off could at least give both teams a chance to rest their bullpens after each side used six pitchers in Game 3.
Ryan Tepera Implies Astros May Have Been Stealing White Sox's Signs in ALDS
Oct 11, 2021
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 10: Ryan Tepera #51 of the Chicago White Sox reacts in the fifth inning during Game 3 of the ALDS between the Houston Astros and the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on Sunday, October 10, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Ryan Tepera suggested the Houston Astros may have been stealing signs in the first two games of their American League Division Series matchup.
"Yeah. It is what it is. They've obviously had a reputation of doing some sketchy stuff over there," Tepera told reporters, comparing Houston's offensive performance at home versus the road. "It's just, we can say that it's a little bit of a difference. I think you saw the swings and misses tonight compared to, you know, the first two games at Minute Maid. But that's not really the story, you know? We come here to play. We're going to compete. We're not going to worry about what they're going to do.
"All we have to do is execute pitches and they can't hit them anyways."
The Astros were infamously disciplined ahead of the 2020 season for using video to steal signs and relay information to batters during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Houston won the World Series in 2017.
The controversy led to the departure of manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow along with Astros players being criticized by fans and fellow players.
While Tepera is correct that the Astros have a history of malfeasance, it's hard to find evidence in this case. Houston still scored six runs in Game 3's 12-6 loss, which is as many as the AL West champs put up in their Game 1 victory.
"Those are heavy accusations. We're about the same, runs, OPS... actually better on the road than we are at home. They're actually at better at home than they are on the road. I don't have much response to that," Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters Monday.
It was the White Sox who actually benefited most from being at home, scoring 12 runs after putting up only five in the first two games.
Yasmani Grandal, White Sox Win ALDS Game 3 vs. Astros 12-6 to Extend Series
Oct 11, 2021
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 10: Yasmani Grandal #24 of the Chicago White Sox hits a two run home run in the third inning during game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Houston Astros at Guaranteed Rate Field on October 10, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Chicago White Sox avoided the brooms by discovering their bats.
Facing the prospect of a three-game sweep, the White Sox offense woke up, leading the way in a 12-6 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday night.
It wasn't looking good for Chicago after the Astros raced out to a 5-1 lead in the top of the third, led by the red-hot bat of Kyle Tucker.
Chicago's bullpen earned a tip of the cap as well after retiring 16 straight batters to close the game. The White Sox added three more insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth to put the game out of reach.
So, if you love hitting, you loved this game. If the White Sox are going to stay alive in October, they'll have to bring that same energy into Game 4.
Key Stats
Chicago's Bullpen: 7.1 innings, four hits, three runs, one walk, 14 strikeouts
Yasmani Grandal, CWS: 1-for-3, three-run homer
Leury Garcia, CWS: 2-for-5, four RBI, one homer, two runs
Yimi Garcia, HOU: 0.1 innings, four hits, four runs allowed, one strikeout
Kyle Tucker, HOU: 2-for-4, four RBI, one homer, two runs
Alex Bregman, HOU: 2-for-4, one RBI
Chicago Finally Got a Full-Team Effort From Its Offense
Tim Anderson, Luis Robert and Jose Abreu were a combined 13-of-24 in the first two games of this series, regularly setting the plate for the White Sox hitters behind them. The problem has been that the rest of the Chicago hitters combined to post just five hits in Games 1-2.
That changed on Sunday night, when Chicago's 4-9 hitters knocked in nine runs.
Grandal 2-run homer. White Sox needed that. You needed that. We all needed that.
If Chicago is going to win this series, though, they're probably going to need a starting pitcher to actually give them quality innings. Houston has battered their starters, but getting help from players not named Anderson, Robert or Abreu was just as huge.
Kyle Tucker, October Legend
Like Jim Carrey in The Mask, Tucker is smokin' right now.
He now has two homers, seven RBI, three runs and three extra-base hits in the past two games. Good luck pitching to this guy.
Granted, it shouldn't be a surprise that Tucker has remained a threat, given he hit 30 homers and 92 RBI this past season. But it's hard enough to beat the Astros when the usual suspects like Jose Altuve, Michael Brantley, Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez are raking.
Jeff Luhnow not giving into trade calls for Kyle Tucker … HUGE decision in Astros history.
When you add Tucker going full Reggie Jackson on top of the guys listed above, the Astros become a very, very dangerous team.
What's Next?
Game 4 is set for Monday afternoon in Chicago at 3:37 p.m. ET on FS1. Carlos Rodon will take the mound for the White Sox, with Houston's starter yet to be named.
MLB Playoffs 2021: Odds, Daily Fantasy Predictions for Sunday's ALDS
Oct 10, 2021
Boston Red Sox's Xander Bogaerts, right, celebrates his home run against the Tampa Bay Rays with J.D. Martinez (28) during the third inning of Game 2 of a baseball American League Division Series, Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Coming off Saturday's travel day, the two American League Division Series resume Sunday.
The Houston Astros can sweep the Chicago White Sox out of the playoffs and clinch a berth in the ALCS for the fifth consecutive year. They have outscored the AL Central champs 15-5 through the first two games of the series.
In the other series, the Boston Red Sox stormed back to life with a 14-6victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 2 to even things up before the first game at Fenway Park.
In anticipation of these games, here are some daily fantasy projections to keep in mind if you want to add more drama to the proceedings.
Sunday Odds
Tampa Bay Rays -104 (wager $104 to win $100) at Boston Red Sox -112
Pretty much any hitter in Houston's lineup would be worthy of starting in your DFS lineup. They led MLB in runs scored during the regular season and have carried that over to the first two games of the ALDS.
Since we have to single out one player to take, though, allow yourself to be steered in the direction of Carlos Correa. The two-time All-Star has three hits in six at-bats and two RBI in the series already.
That only adds to the legend of Correa's history as a high-level postseason performer.
Astros SS Carlos Correa has 50 career postseason RBI, which ranks 7th on MLB’s all-time list. That list that includes Hall of Fame names like David Ortiz (61), Albert Pujols (54) and Reggie Jackson (48)...Correa has 50 in just 64 games, with an .877 career postseason OPS. #khoupic.twitter.com/OaEYsNSyYi
Until the White Sox figure out a way to consistently get Correa out, he's as safe a bet as anyone to have an excellent single game.
In the other dugout, Luis Robert might be the surest thing to do something special in MLB right now.
After returning from a torn hip flexor Aug. 9, Robert hit .350/.389/.622 with 12 homers in 180 at-bats over 43 games to finish the regular season. He's carried that over to the playoffs with five hits in seven at-bats against the Astros.
Luis Robert has been more or less the best player in baseball since coming back from the hip injury.
Houston is sending Luis Garcia to the mound against the White Sox in Game 3. Robert had an .860 OPS and seven homers against right-handed pitching during the regular season.
The Red Sox-Rays series features many offensive stars. While that would seem to indicate picking two hitters as the way to go, pivot in a different direction for Boston.
Nathan Eovaldi will make his first appearance in the series after pitching 5.1 innings in the AL Wild Card Game against the New York Yankees. The All-Star right-hander had the best season his career in 2021, posting a 3.75 ERA with 195 strikeouts in 182.1 innings over 32 starts.
Since these teams play in the same division, Eovaldi has had a lot of exposure to the Rays. He had a 2.39 ERA with 31 strikeouts and 15 hits allowed in 26.1 innings across four starts against Tampa Bay.
Wander Franco, the possible AL Rookie of the Year, has been a hitting machine since the start of August. He had a .323/.383/.506 slash line over his final 41 games in the regular season.
In two playoff games, Franco is 4-for-8 with two doubles. One potential drawback for the 20-year-old is his overall performance against right-handed pitching. He had just a .696 OPS against them in 183 at-bats during the regular season.
Rather than be concerned about that, though, just think of it as a small sample put up by a rookie who is the youngest player in MLB this year.
Franco has been the Rays best hitter down the stretch and has carried that over into his first postseason.
Jim Kaat Apologizes for Slavery Remark About Yoan Moncada During White Sox ALDS Game
Oct 8, 2021
TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 8: Former pitcher Jim Kaat on the field before the Toronto Blue Jays MLB game against the Boston Red Sox on April 8, 2016 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
Former MLB pitcher and current MLB Network analyst Jim Kaat apologized Friday for referencing slavery while discussing Chicago White Sox third baseman Yoan Moncada during Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Houston Astros.
Former MLB manager Buck Showalter, who was calling the game with Kaat, complimented Moncada's talent and recalled once watching him from the dugout and saying, "Can we have one of those?"
Kaat laughed in response and said, "Get a 40-acre field full of 'em."
Later in the broadcast, Kaat apologized: "Earlier in the game, when Yoan Moncada was at the plate, in an attempt to compliment the great player that he is, I used a poor choice of words that resulted in an insensitive and hurtful remark. And I'm sorry for that."
The 82-year-old Kaat became a broadcaster in 1984 following a 25-year playing career from 1959 to 1983.
Pitching primarily with the Minnesota Twins organization, Kaat was a three-time All-Star, 16-time Gold Glove winner and one-time World Series champion, and he won 283 games during his career.
Moncada, 26, is in his sixth MLB season and his fifth with the White Sox after beginning his career with the Boston Red Sox.
He hit .263 with 14 home runs, 61 RBI and 74 runs scored this season. The Cuban star is only two years removed from his best MLB season when he hit .315 with 25 homers, 79 RBI and 83 runs in 2019.
The Astros took a 1-0 series lead Thursday with a 6-1 victory in Game 1, and Moncada and the White Sox are looking to even the series Friday in Game 2.
White Sox DH Jose Abreu Says He'd 'Be Lying' If He Said He Felt 100% in ALDS Game 1
Oct 8, 2021
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 07: Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox hits during batting practice prior to Game 1 of the ALDS between the Chicago White Sox and the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, October 7, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Jose Abreu, still recovering from the flu, told reporters after Thursday's 6-1 loss to the Houston Astros in Game 1 of an American League Division Series that he still wasn't himself.
“If I told you I feel 100 percent, I’d be lying to you,” said José Abreu, who had two hits. “I had to play today because of the commitment I have to this team.” pic.twitter.com/3BLWWQs1QC
Batting third, the designated hitter went 2-for-4 with the team's lone RBI.
"He caught a bit of the flu," manager Tony La Russa told reporters Wednesday. "Got to the workout yesterday [in Chicago], and he had had a tough night with fever, and now we're all brimming with happiness and excitement because the fever broke.
"He passed the [COVID-19] test, which [is] mandatory, and he'll be flying back here tonight."
Abreu's teammates didn't sound as though they expected Abreu to miss the game.
"I think he's the biggest key that we need healthy," Tim Anderson told reporters. "But I'm sure you know, we all know, how stubborn he is, and you know he's not going to want to sit out. He's not going to be happy about that."
Gavin Sheets on José Abreu
“They’re saying he’s going to see how he feels tomorrow, but I’ve got a good feeling he’s going to be feeling pretty good. It’s Pito. He’s going to be willing to do whatever it takes to win a series for us."
The White Sox tested Abreu pregame to ensure he was up to playing and even had two lineups prepared just in case. But La Russa joked with reporters that it would have been tough for him to keep the veteran slugger out of the lineup.
"He's in," he said before the game. "I'd show you the spike mark on my chest if he wasn't."
Abreu, 34, had another excellent season in 2021, hitting .261 with 30 homers, 117 RBI, 86 runs and an .831 OPS in 152 games. His power has made him irreplaceable for the White Sox, especially as they seek to climb out of an early hole in their series against the Astros.
And Abreu's status going forward will be closely monitored:
Abreu asked about tomorrow. Can he play again and play 1st this time?
(Through translator): "Right now, I just need to rest and get better." Says when he wakes up tomorrow, he'll see how he's feeling and what he can do. #WhiteSox
