||| NOTEBOOK Abreu hot after dismal road trip
PHOENIX — A day after hitting his 100th career home run, a red- hot Jose Abreu hit another home run and had three RBI. But the White Sox were swept by the Diamondbacks and finished the road trip 3- 7.
So Abreu wasn’t exactly basking in the glow of his time away from home, in which he went 17- for- 42 (. 405) with five homers, 10 RBI and 12 runs scored in 10 games.
“It was a very disappointing road trip,’’ Abreu said through interpreter Billy Russo. “We as a team are passing through a tough moment, a rough stretch.
“I’m thankful for how I performed, but I can’t be happy — we didn’t win as many games as we want to. It’s tough.
“The team is first.’’
A good step for Shields
Pitcher James Shields threw his first bullpen session since going on the disabled list.
Another session is planned for Friday. If all goes well, he will pitch a three- inning simulated game Monday. The 34- year- old righthander is as upbeat as he has been in almost a month.
“I can’t feel anything right now,” Shields said. “I’m just trying to build up arm strength as quickly as possible. Surprisingly, it’s back a little bit quicker than I thought. It’s actually coming out pretty good.”
Shields threw 30 pitches, using his entire assortment, he said.
Rotation in flux
Rookie right- hander Dylan Covey, who left his start in the third inning Tuesday with a strained left oblique, felt “a little better,” manager Rick Renteria said.
While a trip to the disabled list seems possible for Covey, who was limited to six starts for the A’s Class AA Midland team last season because of a similar injury, the Sox aren’t pressed to make a move now.
“We’ll see how he’s doing [ Thursday, an off day] and the next day,’’ Renteria said. “Right now, from all indications, he’s not as bad as we first anticipated, but he’s got a little tweak.’’
A Rule 5 draft pick, Covey ( 0- 4) hasn’t looked major- league ready. He has an 8.12 ERA and has completed six innings only twice. Renteria said the DL is a possibility, without elaborating too much more.
Because of the doubleheader Friday against the Tigers, the Sox can call up a 26th player. Class AAA right- handers Chris Volstad and Tyler Danish and left- handed reliever David Holmberg are possibilities.
Right on
Yolmer Sanchez on playing the outfield for the first time after entering the game in a double- switch Tuesday: “Anything I can do for the team, I will be there.’’
As luck would have it, the first pitch was hit to Sanchez on a routine fly.
“I was like ‘ Ay- yi- yay,’ but after I catch it, I just throw it in — oof, nice,’’ he said. “I was really ner- vous, but after that I feel a little more calm. And looking good.’’
The 5- 10 Sanchez noted that he looked smaller in the outfield but said he got nice reviews from teammates.
“You look great out there,’’ was the reaction, he said.
Back at second base Wednesday, Sanchez robbed Paul Goldschmidt of a single with a diving stop. Sanchez also is having an exceptional year at the plate.
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