White Sox’ Jose Abreu not worried about tight hamstring

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Jose Abreu (with translator Billy Russo) talks to reporters Wednesday morning. (Daryl Van Schouwen)

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Jose Abreu was in good spirits Wednesday, a day after he left a Cactus League game with a tight left hamstring.

“I feel really good right now,’’ Abreu said.

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Abreu said he felt a “pinch” in the hamstring during the pregame warmup, and when it stayed with him during the game, manager Rick Renteria sent him to the trainer’s room.

“It wasn’t something major, but when I ran out the ground ball [his second time up], I felt the pinch again, and I didn’t want to try something reckless,’’ Abreu said.

He’s getting treatment and said he hopes to be back in the lineup by Friday, at the latest, although Renteria cautioned he won’t rush his star first baseman back into action. The Sox play their last Cactus League game Sunday and have an exhibition game in Charlotte against their Class AAA team in advance of opening day next Thursday.

Abreu has no worries about being ready by then.

“It’s nothing to be concerned about,’’ Abreu said. “I’m laughing because it’s not a big deal.”

Catcher Kevan Smith (sprained left ankle) also exited the game Tuesday and was being re-evaluated by a specialist.

“He’s walking around good, with no limp, hardly any swelling,” Renteria said. “We’ll know more tomorrow.’’

Smith’s injury likely nails down the backup catcher’s job for left-handed-hitting Omar Narvaez.

Rotation set

The writing has been on the wall for weeks, but Renteria has been hesitant to voice his rotation. Until Wednesday, that is, when he acknowledged opening-day starter James Shields will be followed by Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, Miguel Gonzalez and Carson Fulmer.

Renteria also said the Sox will break camp with 13 pitchers.

“We’re closing in on an idea of [the bullpen],’’ Renteria said. “We still have a few days left in camp, and we might start making some of the decisions in the next couple of days.’’

With Fulmer regaining control of his spot as the fifth starter, that would put left-hander Hector Santiago (one earned run allowed in 12 innings) in the bullpen as a long man.

This and that

Left-hander Carlos Rodon is scheduled for his second side session off a mound Thursday as he works his way back from arthroscopic shoulder surgery on Sept. 28. Rodon, who might have been the opening-day starter had he been healthy, is expected to miss the first two months of the season.

◆ Center fielder Adam Engel was scratched from the lineup with a stiff neck. Utility man Leury Garcia was scratched to tend to a personal matter.

◆ Giolito joined the Taylor Hooton Foundation Advisory Board, a group of players leading the push against performance-enhancing drug use. There are 35 members on the board, which includes at least one player from 27 of the 30 major-league teams.

Follow me on Twitter @CST_soxvan.

Email: dvanschouwen@suntimes.com

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