KANSAS CITY -- Rick Renteria decided that Saturday was the right time to give Yonder Alonso what the White Sox manager termed a "mental respite."

Alonso, who was in the Chicago lineup for 56 of the first 62 games, went 0-for-3 in Friday's series opener against the Royals and saw his batting average fall to .184.

"We're trying to give Alonso a little break," Renteria said. "We'll see if we can give him a little mental respite. He didn't ask for it, isn't asking for it. But I think sometimes you have to look at your guys and make a decision."

Alonso leads the White Sox with 27 walks, but his longest hitting streak this year is three games.

"He still has the ability to draw some walks," Renteria said. "Right now, we're not necessarily getting the offense that anybody was hoping to get. Is it still in there? I hope it is. I think it is. But sometimes I have to allow them to take a step back, like we've done in the past with a lot of hitters. See if they can regroup and where we go from here.”

Alonso had started 37 games as the designated hitter and 19 games at first base prior to Saturday.