Abreu on offensive struggles: 'It's a matter of my approach'

Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu says he knows what the problem is, and he had a chance to sit back on Sunday and think about it.

Riding a 1-for-11 slump and limited to 1 home run and 6 RBI over his last 13 games, Abreu was held out of the starting lineup for the first time this season.

"Right now, it's a matter of my approach," Abreu said through an interpreter. "I've been swinging at a lot of pitches out of the zone and that's not my approach. I have to regroup and I have to work to be on my successful path."

When dissecting Abreu's current struggles, look no further than Saturday.

Coming to the plate with the bases loaded and no outs in the seventh inning with the Sox trailing 2-0, Abreu quickly fell behind in the count and then swung at a Joakim Soria pitch that was high and inside.

Abreu wound up grounding into a double play, which scored Dioner Navarro with the White Sox's lone run of the game. But it was a wasted at-bat.

At this point, getting a break can't hurt.

"I'm going to take it, and it's good to have a rest for a day," Abreu said. "This is probably a day to regroup and to work hard."

Sitting Abreu when the rest of the offense was also slumping can be viewed as a risky move, but manager Robin Ventura thought it was the right thing to do.

"Just hit the reset button and let him watch and cheer guys on," Ventura said. "Sometimes it's better just to sit there and watch the game."

Abreu was clearly looking like he needed a mental break from the long grind of baseball.

"Any time a guy like him doesn't hit up to his potential, doesn't drive the ball and do things like that, you're always amazed by that," Ventura said. "When Frank (Thomas) did it you're amazed, when you see Albert Pujols do that you're amazed, (Mike) Piazza, all those guys. But it happens to every baseball player. You just have to be able to sit back and relax somewhat and get back out there."

Johnson coming back:

The White Sox can add a 26th player for Monday's doubleheader against the Indians, and they are bringing up Erik Johnson to start Game 2.

Johnson's first start for the Sox came on May 5, but the right-hander was optioned back to Class AAA Charlotte after allowing 4 runs on 8 hits and 3 walks while throwing 108 pitches in 5 innings.

"He makes the most sense," manager Robin Ventura said when asked about Johnson getting the likely spot start against Cleveland. "He's done it before, and is comfortable knowing what he can come in here and do."

Garcia sits out again:

In addition to Jose Abreu, Avisail Garcia was held out of the starting lineup Sunday.

After rediscovering his swing earlier this month, Garcia is 1-for-13 with 5 strikeouts in his last 3 games.

Garcia also sat out Saturday. Manager Robin Ventura said he was held out again Sunday due to poor career numbers (0-for-12) against Royals starter Yordano Ventura.