Beckham closer to return from oblique injury

ARLINGTON -- Gordon Beckham started his sixth straight game for Double-A Birmingham on Friday night, playing second base once again. His injury rehab assignment for a strained left oblique is getting closer to an end, with Beckham not feeling any soreness in the affected area.

"He's been doing good," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said of Beckham. "He's getting closer. You want to make sure you get a good five, six in a row where you don't feel anything, so you know, even when they do it, there are no signs. It just happens. Knowing that he's had it before, you want to just nip it."

Beckham's injury came out of nowhere during Spring Training, when he was taking swings in the batting cage after a Cactus League game on March 14. As Ventura has stated numerous times, they are working to avoid any sort of re-occurrence and a longer absence. Ventura did not address the corresponding roster move upon Beckham's return.

The assumption is that Marcus Semien or Leury Garcia would be the temporary odd-man out. But with Garcia able to play the outfield, Jordan Danks also could be in that mix.