White Sox notes: Garcia, Saladino, Abreu, Frazier

The adjustments Avisail Garcia made in the offseason produced positive results during spring training but it hasn’t translated to the regular season. The 24-year-old outfielder who has become the Sox’ primary designated hitter is batting .156 with a .240 on-base percentage, two homers and five RBI.

Manager Robin Ventura moved Garcia down to eighth in the batting order Tuesday, the lowest he’s penciled him in at, and after going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts Ventura gave him the day off.

“I think pitch selection, plate discipline, stuff like that,’’ Ventura said. “It’s the simpler stuff.’’

Garcia is also adjusting to designated hitter duty, where he has appeared 11 times compared to two in right field. Ventura is cutting him some slack considering the new role, but acknowledged that Garcia is past point of getting a mulligan for being at a developmental stage of his career.

“He’s been here enough,’’ Ventura said. “You talk about developing, but he also needs to produce, and he knows that.’’

The Sox saved $13 million when Adam LaRoche retired, so look for them to explore other options if the production continues to lag at DH. A left-handed bat would be optimal.

Salad day

Tyler Saladino, batting second and giving shortstop Jimmy Rollins a day off, homered in the first inning to supply half the offense for a lineup that continues to scrape by. The Sox had five hits and for the ninth time in 15 games were held to three runs or less.

Ventura cited the “electric stuff” of Angels right-hander Garrett Richards as a factor. It was, but the Sox haven’t manhandled anyone yet.

At least Saladino was able to provide ace Chris Sale, who won his previous start 1-0 at the Tampa Bay Rays, with a lead to work with.

“You’re not always going to be able to put runs on the board in a matchup like we had today,’’ said Saladino, who struck out twice and hit into a double play after the homer, his first. “When you get runs on the board, not to say that it takes pressure off, but it does feel like momentum is on our side, and you can roll with that and play our game.’’

Abreu’s first game at DH

Jose Abreu (0-for-4) has no use for DH-ing, but Ventura put him there to get him off his feet a bit.

“It wasn’t a fistfight, but it was a longer conversation,’’ Ventura said. “He just doesn’t like to do it, but I think he understands it and he’s going to do it today.

“It’s important for him and he’s pretty good at it. He doesn’t have bad numbers (.309/.356/.546, 16 homers, 49 RBI) in 74 games going in when he does it.’’

Jerry Sands had an eventful and not-so-smooth day at first.

This and that

David Robertson converted his 11^th consecutive save opportunity dating to last season. His last save of four outs or more was last May 16.

*Brett Lawrie’s three walks were the most by a Sox this season.

*The Sox stole three bases for the first time since last July 24 at Cleveland.

*The Sox didn’t win their 10th game until May 6 last season. They started 10-14.