Is the team's patience with White Sox manager La Russa 'growing thin?'

If there's a problem between White Sox players and new manager Tony La Russa, that is news to Jose Abreu.

Earlier this week, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported "patience in some parts of the White Sox's clubhouse is growing thin" after La Russa left Lucas Giolito in too long during an April 27 start against Detroit and let Matt Foster get shelled in an April 7 relief outing at Seattle.

La Russa has also made some pinch-hitting decisions that have not worked out well, apparently leading to some dissension in the ranks.

"I think we are blessed to be managed by a guy like him, a Hall of Famer," Abreu said through a translator. "I think sometimes people are unfair with him, people like to criticize. It's not an easy job. If being a manager of a major-league team would be an easy job, everybody could do it. But it's not, and I think he deserves a little more faith and respect."

Back in the dugout for the first time since 2011, La Russa is finding out there is much more criticism these days due to social media.

"I learned a long time ago, you stick your head in the clubhouse and in the dugout where it belongs," La Russa said. "I've said before, if the decision works, they're good, if they don't work, they're bad. I'm not going to change. There's enough to concentrate on just watching the game.

"Just be accountable to yourself, take your best shot. You can't live and die with whether the decision worked or not. It's the quality of the decision. I like this club a lot, I love this club, the way they inspire me. I don't have any excuses if somebody thinks there are issues."