Sox's Abreu OK after 'extremely scary' collision

The White Sox lost Game 1 of a doubleheader to the Royals Friday afternoon.

Fortunately, they didn't lose Jose Abreu to a serious injury.

In the second inning, Kansas City's Hunter Dozier popped up in front of home plate and barely avoided making contact with Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal.

After running a few more steps toward first base, Dozier collided with Abreu and both players hit the ground.

White Sox starter Lucas Giolito came off the mound when the ball was still in the air and was close to Abreu and Dozier when they slammed into each other.

"It was extremely scary in the moment," Giolito said. "That was a big collision, and to see (Abreu) go down like that, he doesn't really ever do that. He's taken some hits and just gets right back up.

"After a minute, he did get up and he said he was fine, he could keep playing. But that's the type of player he is. He'll do anything for this team, and we're just glad that the prognosis is totally cool."

Abreu left the game with a facial contusion and laceration and a bruised left knee. The initial assessment for a concussion was negative.

Dozier had to be helped off the field and was diagnosed with a quad contusion and neck discomfort.

Both players are day-to-day, but Abreu told Sox manager Tony La Russa he wanted to play Game 2.

"He's sore," La Russa said. "He's not playing the second game. Because it's him, we'll wait and see tomorrow. But he can't go out there all guts in pain, so we'll see how he feels tomorrow."

Through his eight seasons with the White Sox, Abreu has always fought to stay on the field no matter what. This is the latest example.

"It was a huge relief going in, seeing he's good, in high spirits, for me and the rest of the team," Giolito said. "He'll probably be back playing tomorrow, honestly. We'll see. That was a big hit and it just shows the type of player he is. It's unbelievable."