Abreu expected to get consecutive days off this week

OAKLAND -- Slugging first baseman Jose Abreu has been relegated to designated hitter as he works through a left ankle injury. In order to give Abreu a bigger break, White Sox manager Robin Ventura said he plans on using Thursday's off-day to give Abreu consecutive days off.

"I don't know if we're going to do it either [Wednesday] or [Friday], we'll see how he goes through today," Ventura said before Tuesday's contest against the A's. "But I'm sure one of them he'll get [off]."

Chicago wraps up the series in Oakland on Wednesday before heading to Houston for a three-game set this weekend.

Abreu has been dealing with foot and ankle issues since Spring Training, but showed a noticeable limp while trying to run down to first base on Thursday against the Cubs. He's been the starting designated hitter in the five games since. The 27-year-old has started every contest this season except for April 17, when he made a pinch-hitting appearance.

"It's getting better," Ventura said. "There's nothing structurally or anything you're concerned about. But you just see him limp like that and it's just soreness getting out of there. It's getting better. I think that day off will probably help."

Abreu belted his Major League-leading 14th home run during Monday's ninth-inning comeback, which came up a run short. He took A's starter Jesse Chavez deep to right field for a solo shot on a line drive that got out of the park quickly.

"He has a lot of power," Ventura said. "You see him hit balls -- the way they come off the bat is just different than a lot of people. He has power to all fields. Any park you play in is reachable for him, anywhere. He puts it on the barrel and good stuff happens."