Abreu not concerned about Chicago's colder temps

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Jose Abreu returned to the White Sox starting lineup Monday and went 0-for-3 during a 7-6 victory over the Mariners after taking off two days to rest a sore left ankle.

Abreu showed no effects from the soreness that has bothered him for the past few weeks as he made a diving stop toward the first-base line to take away a hit from Brad Miller in the first inning. Abreu admitted the break did him some good.

"The doctors and people recommend five days to take the soreness away, but it was way too much for me," said Abreu through translator and White Sox manager of cultural development Lino Diaz. "I feel two days was really good, and it's definitely helped.

"Right now, I'm feeling really good. I have to thank the trainers. They have helped me a lot with the treatment and all of that, but I'm feeling really good right now. I'm not taking it like anything serious. It's one of those things that happens when you're playing. You get sore, and that's it."

While the ankle has responded in the warm air but often hard infields of Arizona, Abreu soon will have to adjust to colder Midwest temperatures as he prepares for his White Sox debut Monday at U.S. Cellular Field. The climate change doesn't seem to worry the big man.

"I've never played in cold weather like that," Abreu said. "But if other people, all the Cubans, all the Latin players, other players can do it, I don't think it will be a problem for me.

"I haven't really asked Alexei [Ramirez] or Dayan [Viciedo], but some of the coaches have talked to me about it. I'm not going to give it too much mind. I'm just going to prepare psychologically and mentally for the cold, to actually enjoy it and do the best I can."