White Sox give update on Jose Abreu after scary collision with Hunter Dozier (Video)

Jose Abreu was removed from the White Sox game against the Royals after colliding with Hunter Dozier near first base.

Abreu won the American League MVP in the shortened 2020 season, and is obviously a major factor in the Chicago White Sox’s chances in 2021. The ChiSox are already shorthanded, with Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert already on the injured list. Any long-term issue with Abreu may put the hottest team in baseball over the tipping point, despite their recent surge.

The White Sox find themselves in first place in the American League Central, just one game ahead of the Cleveland Indians. They had won six straight games entering Friday, though their rival in Cleveland is streaking as well, with four straight victories.

How did Jose Abreu and Hunter Dozier collide?

Dozier popped the ball up on the first base side, but in play. Abreu made a play on the ball to keep his pitcher from having to field the baseball, a common practice in modern MLB. By doing that, he put himself squarely in the first base line, and Dozier nearly ran him over in the process.

The Sox gave an update on Abreu later Friday, stating “José Abreu is day-to-day after leaving the game with a facial contusion and laceration as well as a bruised left knee. The initial assessment for a concussion was negative.”

Dozier, meanwhile, is day-to-day with a quad contusion and neck discomfort

We’ll have more on his status as it becomes available.