White Sox manager Robin Ventura knew Jose Abreu would try to plead his case to stay in the starting lineup Sunday.
“You already know who’s going to try to talk you [out of it],” Ventura said. “He would definitely try to talk his way in there.”
Ventura’s solution was simple. He posted the lineup without saying a word to his struggling slugger.
In place of Abreu, Jerry Sands played first base and batted fifth. Abreu sat out for the first time this season.
The timing of Ventura’s decision worked well as the White Sox held on for a 3-2 win against Kansas City in Sunday’s series finale.