Abreu targeting return to lineup Monday in LA

CHICAGO -- A Minor League rehab assignment might not be needed for Jose Abreu before he is scheduled to come off the disabled list Monday in Los Angeles.

"We're going over that right now," said White Sox manager Robin Ventura of the plan for Abreu, who has been on the disabled list since May 18 with inflammation in his left ankle. "You're trying to see if you can get him the work here so he wouldn't have to go out.

"As of right now, there's not a plan for him to go out. He would stay here. I think [White Sox head athletic trainer] Herm [Schneider] wants him here just to watch him, and we'll figure out if we can get somebody here to simulate something to make him do it here instead of having to go play in a game."

The plan for Abreu is to have him back every day at first base when he's healthy enough to return. Everything is subject to change, but the unofficial target date remains the series opener against the Dodgers.

"He still says it's feeling better every time he goes out there," Ventura said. "He's tried a couple of different braces to try to alleviate what was there and to make it feel better and have more stability and things like that. It's a work in progress of trying to find the right mix right now that is going to be the one he goes forward with and plays with."

Even without their galvanizing force in the middle of the lineup, the White Sox have posted a 6-4 record entering play Wednesday.

"Keep on keeping on," said White Sox hitting coach Todd Steverson, whose offense has averaged 3.8 runs per game without Abreu in the 10-game stretch. "Things happen through the course of the year, whether it be through injury or someone has to leave for a family issue. The game's not going to stop because you don't have your typical full lineup that you want to have. Somebody has a job to do.

"With Jose back it's a lot more potent and a bit more dangerous. But nobody is going to cry for us that he's out of the lineup. We are still here to do a job. I'm happy for the fact that we still come to compete every day."