Beckham will likely return during series vs. Royals

CHICAGO -- White Sox manager Robin Ventura said before the series finale against the Tigers on Thursday afternoon that second baseman Gordon Beckham could be in the lineup as soon as Friday night's opener against the Royals.

"Gordon came out, took some ground balls and is feeling better. I think it's probably more likely him for [Friday] than it is for today," Ventura said. "It's progressed enough to where you can kind of see him playing in the next couple days."

Beckham strained a ligament in his left wrist while swinging a weighted bat during batting practice warmups prior to last Friday's game against Atlanta and has missed five games since.