Abreu's April absolutely astounding for Sox

Have yourself a month, Jose Abreu.

The White Sox' new first baseman continued his assault on the record books in Sunday's 9-2 win over the Rays at U.S. Cellular Field, going 2-for-4 with another home run - he has 10 this month - and 4 RBI.

"You know, I go to the field to play baseball, help the team," Abreu said through a translator. "I really don't go looking for records, but they're definitely welcome. That's not something that I go looking for, but it's a nice thing."

Abreu already owned the major-league record for most home runs (9) by a rookie in March / April, so he padded his lead with a 2-run shot off David Price in the sixth inning.

With the 4 RBI, Abreu has 31 and moves out of a tie with Albert Pujols for the most by a rookie in the opening month.

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Abreu is the first player in baseball history to have 4 or more RBI four times in his first 26 games. His 10 homers are the most by any Sox rookie in any month of any season, and his 31 RBI are a franchise record for April.

There are even more April superlatives for Abreu, but we're running out of room. Let's just say he is off to an amazing start with the White Sox.

"He's good," said Sox manager Robin Ventura, and not for the first time. "I think he likes to hit with guys on base. I think the last few home games haven't been ideal conditions. Even today, it was a little windy and cold, but he's just a good hitter. When he hits it on the barrel, it can get out of any park. I don't think it was necessarily carrying to left field but he has enough power to get it out of here."

'Incredible' moment:

When he was pulled from Sunday's game with one out in the eighth inning, Scott Carroll received a well-deserved standing ovation at the Cell.

"It's incredible," Carroll said. "I put in all the hard work and just effort and stuff and to get to this level and to succeed like I did, it was unbelievable. I've seen it so many times on TV and on movies and stuff, but to actually experience it and have that feeling myself, it was incredible."

Sale update:

On the disabled list with a strained flexor muscle in his throwing (left) arm, White Sox ace Chris Sale played catch before Sunday's game.

While he's eligible to come off the DL this weekend at Cleveland, Sale would have to throw a bullpen and feel good afterward before being cleared to pitch.

"We're not just going to send him out there if he hasn't thrown and we're not 100 percent positive he's OK," manager Robin Ventura said. "I would say he'd have to do something in the next three days. There's nothing on the schedule (for a rehab assignment) right now. We're just trying to make sure he feels good."