Levine: Slumping Jose Abreu Benched To 'Hit A Reset Button'

By Bruce Levine--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Struggling White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu received a timeout from manager Robin Ventura on Sunday.

Abreu wasn't in the starting lineup as he has slumped as of late, hitting just a shade over .200 the last eight games, with one home run and five RBIs.

Overall, the numbers aren't horrible or really prolonged, but his at-bats have been unproductive over the past week.

"He is helping the pitchers get him out," said an National League scout who has seen Abreu in 10 games this season. "He is really chasing the breaking ball off the plate. The pitchers have him looking outside and have been able to blow some fastballs by him. I have never seen him as out of sync as he is now."

Ventura didn't make a big deal about the turn of events.

"He let me know just now," Abreu said. "I am going to take it and get a good rest. It is time to regroup and keep working hard. I will be prepared to work today, in case I need to go into the game."

Abreu has six home runs and six doubles. Projected out, the power numbers would read 24 home runs and 24 doubles for the season, well below his average of 34 homers and 33 doubles over his first two seasons in the big leagues. His .243/.318/.396 slash line also has dropped significantly from his first two seasons, when it was .303/.364/.540.

"Nothing has changed for me," Abreu said. "Yesterday I felt good. Saturday was a bad day with bad results."

Abreu went 1-for-4 with a bloop single and a strikeout Saturday in a 2-1 loss. He also grounded into two double plays and left four runners stranded, adding, "I am feeling very good. I just have to keep working hard."

The likeable Abreu is a hard worker and outstanding teammate by all accounts. Ventura's doing his best to manage a star player in a slump and knows from his own experience that a breather once and awhile can be make a difference.

"We will let him hit a reset button and let him watch," Ventura said. "Sometimes it's better to sit and watch. For him he, needs a little refresher."

Even the best hitters in history have all gone through prolonged slumps. Abreu has been so consistent that this power outage does surprise some.

"Any time a guy like him doesn't drive the ball, you're always amazed by that," Ventura said. "When Frank Thomas did that, you were amazed. When Albert Pujols does it, you're amazed. For all of those guys, it does happen. It happens to everyone. You just have to sit back and relax and get back after it. We know what kind of a guy he is. He will grind this out. We have all the faith he will be fine. It is a rut and you got to get out of it."

The White Sox are in their worst downturn of the season, losing eight of their last 10, and there are numerous players not producing right now besides Abreu.

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