HOUSTON – José Abreu moved from designated hitter to first base in the White Sox lineup Friday for Game 2 of the ALDS.
“I wore this so I could hide the bruises,” manager Tony La Russa joked, pulling at his long sleeve shirt, “I had him as the DH (originally), and he beat me up a little, and he’s playing first base."
After dealing with a non-COVID-19 illness this week, Abreu started at DH on Thursday in the White Sox’ 6-1 loss at Minute Maid Park. He was questionable to play through pregame batting practice and then went 2-for-4 with the team’s only RBI.
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"He feels good to go," La Russ said of Abreu. "He’s being very honest. He was good to play yesterday, so we all trust him."
White Sox rookie Gavin Sheets filled in for Abreu at first base on Thursday, but with the Astros left-hander Franber Valdez on the mound Friday, Andrew Vaughn replaces Sheets in the batting order. With Abreu back at first base, Vaughn is set to DH.
Here is the White Sox lineup, behind Game 2 starter Lucas Giolito:
SS Tim Anderson
MLB
CF Luis Robert
DH José Abreu
C Yasmani Grandal
LF Eloy Jiménez
3B Yoán Moncada
1B Andrew Vaughn
2B Leury García
RF Adam Engel
SP Lucas Giolito
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