Red-hot Cabrera also helping Chicago White Sox stay cool

Through the first three months of the season, Melky Cabrera did very little to help the White Sox.

Despite signing with the Sox in December with the reputation of being a standout major-league hitter, Cabrera was batting .252 with 2 home runs and 26 RBI at the end of June and looked like a $42 million bust.

That changed in July, when the 30-year-old left fielder took off and hit .369 with 4 homers and 23 RBI.

Cabrera has stayed hot in August and is batting .500 (23-46) over his last 11 games.

Not only did Cabrera perk up the White Sox' offense, he lightened the mood on the field and in the clubhouse.

"He does a great job," manager Robin Ventura said. "At first, it's tough to do that when you feel like you're not pulling your weight at times. He's been a great teammate all year. Now, it's just easier for guys to let it go and get the same feeling from him when he's doing well.

"They react to him the same way. It's been a nice little run for him the same way, not only on the field and hitting, but what he does inside the clubhouse as well."

In May, the White Sox started making stirring hand gestures when they reached base in a mocking tribute to Adam Eaton.

But Cabrera kept adding different gestures when he got it going with the bat in July and his teammates have followed suit.

"Melky, he's a great player, but he's a better teammate," Ventura said. "He's always happy. He's always trying to find a way to keep the atmosphere loose and to keep everybody happy. His influence has been huge for us. That kind of personality is something that you need in a team, and I hope he can continue doing that."

Cabrera, who hails from the Dominican Republic, does not speak English. But as he has been showing, communication is not a problem.

"Probably in the beginning, because it was his first time here, it's like everything in life," Jose Abreu said through a translator. "Your first steps, you are trying to get involved in the atmosphere and know each guy, but now he's one of us.

"He probably is the leader in everything that we are doing. He is the leader, because of his performance, because of his personality, because of how he is."

Roster move:

After pitching 4⅓ innings of relief Sunday against the Yankees, Scott Carroll was optioned back to Class AAA Charlotte.

The White Sox will make a corresponding roster move before Monday's game against Tampa Bay, and outfielder Trayce Thompson is expected to join the 25-man roster from Charlotte.

Jones watch:

Having a beefed up bullpen is important for any team trying to make a playoff run this time of the season, and the Sox are close to adding Nate Jones.

Positioned to take over as the White Sox' closer last year, Jones went down with a hip injury in April and wound up having Tommy John surgery in late July.

Jones has been on a lengthy rehabilitation assignment with Class A Winston-Salem and AAA Charlotte, and he is making positive strides.

"I know he's doing well," manager Robin Ventura said. "Every time he goes out there it's not like he's getting extended (in the inning), that's how well he's doing. I think that's part of having him go back out there, and you want him to get to a point where you can get him multiple innings and extend him somewhat."

Jones had 6 straight scoreless appearances with Charlotte before he allowed 1 run on 1 hit in 1⅓ in innings with 3 strikeouts Sunday.