Levine: Jose Abreu Sits With Leg Soreness

By Bruce Levine--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The White Sox were without their best offensive player Friday against the Blue Jays.

First baseman Jose Abreu was a observer due to leg soreness. The day off was mainly attributed to getting hit in the back of the leg on Thursday in Boston.

The 29-year-old Abreu has been the team's hottest hitter as of late after having had a slow start to the 2016 season. He was 10-for-25 with two home runs and eight RBIs in his last six games.

Manager Robin Ventura was hoping it would be just one game of rehab for Abreu.

"I hope so," Ventura said. "His leg is pretty sore from yesterday. He felt a little tightness in the end of the game. He came in today, and I was talking to him about it. He definitely needs to stay off of it and not even DH."

The plan all along was to rest Abreu occasionally. He has had ankle and shin problems since signing with the White Sox in the fall of 2013. His six-year, $68-million contract is the largest in franchise history.

"When you play a lot of games, and especially long ones, your legs get tired," Abreu said through a translator. "When your hamstrings get tight, you need a break. Today was a needed break for me. I came here early, got all of my treatment. Yes, I needed this day off."

Abreu had played in 72 of the team's 73 games prior to Friday. For the season, he's hitting .267, with 11 home runs and 47 RBIs.

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