Jose Abreu reinstated from disabled list by Chicago White Sox

Less than 24 hours after initial word broke that the Chicago White Sox were set to activate star first baseman Jose Abreu from the 15-day disabled list, the team has made the reinstatement official as of Monday afternoon.

Abreu was placed on the disabled list approximately two weeks ago as a result of ankle issues, but prior to suffering the injury, the 27-year-old slugger was a front-runner for the American League MVP award. In just 189 plate appearances over 44 games, the “rookie” bashed 15 home runs to go along with a .260 batting average, .312 on-base percentage and .595 (!) slugging percentage, and Abreu has made the transition look easy.

If there is a worry about Abreu (aside from the injury), it has been his plate discipline with just a 5.3% walk rate against a 26.5% strikeout rate, but as he progresses and becomes comfortable against the pitching as this level, those trends will likely improve. Because the White Sox have struggled a bit in his absence, the buzz surrounding his return has been tempered a bit, but if Jose Abreu can pick up where he left off, he’ll resume his status as the leader in the clubhouse for the American League Rookie of the Year award.

The White Sox were fortunate to possess two quality backups at first base in Paul Konerko (a long-time member of Chicago’s roster) and Adam Dunn, but the upgrade to Abreu is a steep one. With him back in the lineup, Konerko and Dunn can resume a high-impact platoon at the DH spot, and Chicago’s lineup will be scary immediately.