Abreu takes BP, on track for return Monday

CHICAGO -- While Dodgers fans won't get to see Chris Sale during this week's three-game Interleague series vs. the Dodgers beginning Monday, it looks as if Jose Abreu will be back in action.

The rookie sensation, who has been on the disabled list since May 18 with inflammation his left ankle, took batting practice again Friday and will go through simulated game work on Saturday and Sunday in Chicago. That simulated work will take the place of a rehab assignment.

"It's a part of the evaluation to make sure he's going to be ready to go, hopefully Monday," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said.

Ventura expects some rust on Abreu's swing when he returns, but he hopes it doesn't last long. The club will try to get him as close as possible to live game action through the simulated games to have him ready Monday.

"He's going to go out and run and do things that, get as close as we can, so that we know he's ready to go when he comes off," Ventura said. "You don't want to get a guy off the DL and the first thing he does is go out and re-injure it and then you lose him for another 15 days. So we'll get close to where we'll have a pretty good idea."