In brief time with White Sox, Seby Zavala impressed behind plate

Catcher Seby Zavala was optioned to Class AAA Charlotte after the game Friday night. But during his brief time in the majors, he showed why the White Sox think highly of his potential behind the plate.

“I think that one of the things that we have liked is the way he manages the game,” manager Rick Renteria said. ‘‘From an offensive standpoint, he’s had some good seasons in the minor leagues. It’s one of those things where, I’m sure he’ll continue to work on that, make some adjustments.

“But certainly behind the plate, he’s been doing a really nice job all the way through and did a very nice job [Friday].”

Zavala, 25, was sent back to Charlotte to make room for Welington Castillo, who was reinstated from the concussion list. He went 1-for-9 in three games and struck out seven times. But he did look more comfortable Friday, picking up his first major-league hit when he singled off Indians right-hander Trevor Bauer.

“That’s natural,’’ Renteria said, ‘‘after being here a little bit, just getting acclimated to the surroundings. But, in general, he looked much more comfortable, for sure.”

Time to breathe

The Sox are nearing the end of one of their most grueling stretches of the season. After finishing a run of 33 games in 33 days (one day off, one doubleheader) with the series finale Sunday, the Sox will have a day off Monday after a stretch of 18 consecutive games.

Renteria already is looking forward to a slight breather.

“It’s going to be awesome [late Sunday], after hopefully a victory, to be able to take a scheduled day in order for these guys to just relax,” Renteria said.

As Renteria alluded to, the schedule does relent after Sunday. The Sox are off Monday, play twice in Washington, then have another day off Thursday before going to Kansas City. The Sox also aren’t playing June 12.

Even though the Sox are playing good baseball, Renteria sees the lighter schedule as a good thing.

“We have a few days off coming up within the next two or three weeks, so they’ll be able to hopefully catch up a little bit and give their bodies a little chance to take a step back,” Renteria said. “Guys are a little fatigued. I know we’re just trying to get them through it, and they’re doing a great job of just continuing to stay focused and run through these next couple of days.”

No pain . . .

In the fifth inning, Ivan Nova was hit in the left forearm by Greg Allen’s grounder that turned into an infield single. Nova, who tried to make a play on the ball but couldn’t keep Allen off base, was visited on the mound by Renteria and assistant trainer James Kruk but stayed in the game.

Nova said it didn’t affect his pitching, but getting hit in the arm by a hard grounder wasn’t pleasant.

“It’s pretty sore,” Nova said.

This and that

The Sox fell to 10-20 in day games. In those 30 games, the Sox have been outscored 165-108.

† Kelvin Herrera wasn’t charged with a run, but he allowed Kevin Plawecki’s RBI single in the ninth inning. His ERA is 7.36.