Abreu’s son sees dad play for first time

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Jose Abreu hits an RBI single in the first inning Friday against the Marlins. | Eric Espada/Getty Images

MIAMI — Jose Abreu’s son was at Marlins Stadium on Friday, watching his father play baseball for the first time. He didn’t ask for much, just a home run.

“That’s the only thing he asked me,’’ Abreu said.

After a 32-game home-run drought, the Sox cleanup hitter has hit three in his last seven games.

This is Abreu’s third season in the majors since he defected from Cuba. He has a house in Miami, which he calls his home away from home, and is enjoying having Dariel, 5, visit the U.S. on a visa for one month.

“I like to have my family around and have my family united,’’ Abreu said. “My family is all I have, and I’m glad to be with them. We’re trying to take advantage of all the time that we can spend together.’’

Abreu did come through with two singles in his first three at-bats, including one for an RBI in the first inning. He finished 2-for-5.

Beck recalled; Gonzalez to DL

Right-hander Chris Beck was recalled from Class AAA Charlotte to take right-hander Miguel Gonzalez’s spot on the 25-man roster. Gonzalez went on the 15-day disabled with a strained right groin.

Beck, 26, who has made six relief appearances this season, has allowed six earned runs in 6⅔ innings. He’s 5-4 with a 4.21 ERA in 66⅓ innings.

Gonzalez, 32, left with no outs in the second inning Thursday night in Kansas City.

With a day off Monday, the Sox wouldn’t need a fifth starter until Aug. 20. Anthony Ranaudo, who made one spot start against the Cubs, is one possibility, Ventura said.

Lawrie, Avila still mending

Second baseman Brett Lawrie (hamstring), who hasn’t played since July 21, will go on a minor-league rehab assignment -Saturday. He ran the bases before the game and continues to take batting practice.

Catcher Alex Avila (hamstring) was getting close but “felt something twinge” during batting practice this week.

“For a catcher to have something like that, it’s going to take a little while,’’ Ventura said.

Narvaez catching on

With Avila out and Dioner Navarro struggling, Omar Narvaez could see his time increase behind the plate. The left-handed hitting 24-year-old caught Carlos Rodon on Friday. Ventura said pitchers like throwing to him, and he has been something of a surprise at the plate.

Narvaez had seven hits and four walks while striking out once in his first 21 plate appearances before drawing walks his first three times up Friday, one of them intentionally.

“Before, he was [known as] more of a catch-and-throw guy,’’ Ventura said. “But right now he’s also offensively doing some pretty good things. When you’re up here and it looks like a professional at-bat and an educated at-bat, you earn the right to keep playing.’’

No progress

The Sox are 55-60, the same record they had through 115 games in each of the last two seasons.

Follow me on Twitter @CST_soxvan.

Email: dvanschouwen@suntimes.com

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