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HOUSTON – White Sox first baseman José Abreu has struggled with flu-like symptoms but will travel to Houston on Wednesday night ahead of the AHL division series against the Astros, the team announced ahead of their move. coaching.
The White Sox will make a decision on Abreu’s availability for ALDS Game 1 on Thursday. The first pitch at Minute Maid Park is scheduled for 4:07 p.m. ET.
“Sunday, he didn’t play. He just wasn’t feeling well. He caught the flu a little bit, ”White Sox manager Tony La Russa said of his foreman. “I went to practice yesterday and he had a tough night with a fever, and now we are all full of happiness and excitement because the fever has gone down.
“He passed the tests, which are mandatory, and he will come back here tonight. Then we’ll see what his strength level is for tomorrow, but our worst fears never came true. He will be back in uniform.
Abreu tested positive for COVID-19 at the start of spring training, but as La Russa pointed out in his testing commentary, this current illness is unrelated to COVID-19. Abreu has been physically tested all season, including being hit by a pitch 22 times, but he’s a player who prides himself on being ready to play every set, every day, so it will be hard to keep him out of the game. alignment.
As an example, Abreu took full force on Kansas City’s Hunter Dozier as he chased a popup in Game 1 of a doubles program on May 14 and left the game. But he wanted to play the nightcap.
“We have had several conversations at the clubhouse about how stubborn he will be to admit how he feels for tomorrow’s game,” La Russa said. “Put his hand on the baseball bible and see. I think if he’s not here tomorrow, he’ll be there on Friday.
“Overall, I can’t wait for him to come here and compete with us,” White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson said. “He plays a huge role. He’s been here. So I think it’s fair that we get it back.
The reigning MVP AL has reached 0.261 with 30 homers and 117 RBIs in 152 games for the AL Central champions this season. He came close to leading the AL for a third straight season in RBI and has been the team’s guiding force for the past two years.
“He’s the stoic who sets the example and is able to do it that way,” said Liam Hendriks, closest to the White Sox. “Not being on the flight yesterday was not ideal.
“Fortunately, what we’re hearing is good news and we’re getting here early enough to prepare for tomorrow. He plays an important role in this clubhouse, but one of the major elements of this formation which is able to stabilize everything and to make sure that he will lead in the tracks.
There’s a chance Abreu will start on designated hitter Thursday against Houston right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. Left-handed hitter Gavin Sheets would be a candidate to start at first in this situation.
“Everything they need. I think that’s everyone’s mentality right now. Whatever we have to do to win this series, whatever role we have to play, we’ll be ready, ”Sheets said. “He’s our captain. He’s our leader.
“He shows us the way to do things. He’s showing us the right way to do things and he’s the reigning MVP. He calls himself our second father. That’s the role he’s played all year. It shows the guys the right way to do things on and off the pitch.
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