Levine: White Sox Still Waiting On Production From Avisail Garcia

By Bruce Levine--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Early success in the form of a 9-5 start has overshadowed some of the non-functional elements of the White Sox. on Tuesday in a 5-0 win against the Angels, an offense that had been stagnant for a few days came up with some much-needed punch, contributing two homers and a late-inning crooked number in support of an impressive effort from right-hander Mat Latos. It was Latos' third win in as many starts, and the White Sox pitching has been so good that the individual struggles of the hitter has been a backburner issue.

Through 14 games, the White Sox are averaging 3.1 runs per game, which ranked 25th in baseball.

Manager Robin Ventura has been experimenting with his usage of players. On Wednesday, he saw the need to bench the slumping Avisail Garcia in a day game after a night contest. Another main reason for the move was to get starting first baseman Jose Abreu some rest while keeping his bat in the lineup at designated hitter. Garcia has been the primary DH in the early going but hasn't produced, with a .156 averaging and five RBIs in 45 at-bats.

"I don't think he has necessarily bought into being the DH," Ventura said of Garcia, a former everyday right fielder. "I don't think he is going to be a DH for his career. For where we are at right now, this is what he needs to do."

Garcia worked intently on his conditioning and baseball skills in the past offseason, reporting to spring training 15 pounds lighter and determined to find his batting stroke. Working with the hitting instructors, Garcia showed better balance and a more straight up and down stance, improving dramatically in Cactus League play.

That simply hasn't carried over to the regular season yet.

"It's the simpler stuff," Ventura said of Garcia's funk. "Pitch selection, plate discipline, stuff like that. When you're not on the field, you don't always feel you're part of it. That is the hard part of being the DH. Sometimes it takes a while to adjust to that."

The DH role has been pretty much a black hole for the White Sox since Jim Thome retired. Four years of Adam Dunn and one of Adam LaRoche produced little satisfaction for the front office, coaching staff or players. Now it's up to Garcia to own that spot.

At 25 and in his fifth big league season, Garcia's no longer considered in a player development phase of his career by Ventura.

"He has been here enough," Ventura said. "You talk about developing, but he also needs to produce. He knows that. I think now he needs to get some at-bats and produce."

Abreu won't be filling the DH role often. He disdains not playing in the field and having the opportunity to impact the game in multiple ways.

"It wasn't a fist fight, but it was a longer conversation," Ventura said about talking Abreu into being the DH on Wednesday. "He just doesn't like to do it. I think he understands it, and he is going to do it today. There is a bit of a reluctance on his part to do it. To get him off of his feet for one of these day games is important for him. He is pretty good at it. He does not have bad numbers when he does (DH)."

The DH role fell into the lap of Garcia when Adam LaRoche retired in March. The White Sox had previously signed Austin Jackson to play center field every day late in the winter, causing the ripple effect of Adam Eaton moving to right field and the defensively challenged Garcia to take on the DH role.

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.