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Third to first

• If Beckham can avoid the injuries that plagued him for most of the 2013 season, then he is confident a good offensive season awaits him in '14. Beckham talked to MLB.com during the offseason about being in as good of place as he has been since his rookie campaign at the plate.

"I feel good and my body feels healed from the injuries I had," Beckham said. "I felt like I was just limping around the last month and a half. It was tough.

"But it was a tough year for everybody. Not just me, but the way the team went, how many games we lost. It was very trying on us and our patience, but it will be good motivation for this year to make sure we remember. We don't always want to harp on it, but we always want to remember what it felt like so we're not in that position this year."

• It wouldn't be a week in the offseason without questions being offered up concerning Abreu. It was Ventura's turn to answer those questions Wednesday, after Ventura saw the power-packed first baseman at last week's minicamp in Glendale, Ariz.

"Again, you are just watching him take batting practice and things like that," Ventura said. "But he's got a good swing, it comes off of his bat really nice. He looks like a professional hitter. That's more than probably people gave him credit for.

"He doesn't look like just a guy who is trying to yank everything down the left-field line. He does have the ability to hit it the other way, which turns out to be what you need to survive in the game."

• Former White Sox outfielder and designated hitter Bo Jackson has rejoined the organization as a team ambassador, as announced by the club on Wednesday.

Jackson, who was a member of the 1993 American League West champions, joins other White Sox legends as team ambassadors including Hall of Famer Frank Thomas, Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk, Ron Kittle, Carlos May, Bill Melton and Minnie Minoso. He will make appearances on behalf of the organization and serve as a team representative in the community and throughout baseball.

"Bo is an American sports legend, who always will hold a special place in hearts of White Sox fans," said White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf in a statement from the team release. "His heroic return from what seemed to be a catastrophic career-ending injury helped us win a division title in 1993 and demonstrated to the sports world an unrivaled will and determination to be the best. It is great to again welcome Bo Jackson as a member of the White Sox."

Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Merk's Works, and follow him on Twitter @scottmerkin.
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