Jose Abreu moves into third on White Sox’ career home-run list

With his ninth-inning homer Saturday, Abreu passed Harold Baines with 222. He’s behind Frank Thomas (438) and Paul Konerko (432).

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New York Yankees v Chicago White Sox

Jose Abreu is congratulated after his tying home run in the ninth inning Saturday against the Yankees.

Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images

With his ninth-inning home run Saturday, Jose Abreu moved ahead of Harold Baines into third on the White Sox’ list for career home runs with 222.

“I am happy for this new mark I just reached,” Abreu said. “It wasn’t something I ever imagined, but my hard work and my family support as well as the help of my teammates and the White Sox made this possible.”

Abreu is behind only Frank Thomas (438) and Paul Konerko (432). 

“It is very well earned and speaks to his impact on this organization,” Baines said. “All of us know Jose is a great person and a great baseball player. The respect is truly mutual.”

Manager Tony La Russa said Abreu deserves consideration as not only one of the best players in Sox history, but one of the best in baseball history.

“He’s on that list with the best run producers, home run/RBI guys in the game’s history, and he’s still got a lot left,” La Russa said.

Abreu’s 86 RBI are tied with the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani for the third-most in baseball, and his 757 career RBI are 23rd among active players. Abreu also ranks 23rd among active home-run leaders.

Abreu is the only player on the active list of the top 50 RBI leaders and the top 25 home-run hitters with fewer than nine years in the majors. He stretched his hitting streak to 12 games with a first-inning single Sunday.

No concern for Liam

Liam Hendriks has allowed three home runs in his last two outings, costing the Sox in the late innings Thursday and Saturday. But La Russa is not concerned about his closer.

Some of Hendriks’ troubles might be because he has pitched in non-save situations, such as Saturday, when Hendriks took the mound in the 10th inning with the score tied 4-4.

“It’s just a different mentality,” La Russa said.

Hendriks was not available for comment Saturday or before the game Sunday, but La Russa said he had spoken with him and relayed that Hendriks is confident and eager to get back on the mound with a lead to protect.

“He’s just drooling and salivating and hoping to get another chance today,” La Russa said. “Smoke coming out of his ears and nose. He’s a very tough guy. He’s proven it, and he’ll be ready.”

Injury updates

The Sox put Carlos Rodon on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with shoulder fatigue, but early reports say he should be back on the mound quickly.

“The exam was encouraging. No damage, just tired,” La Russa said. “The soreness was there, but it wasn’t anything that wouldn’t make us optimistic that at the end of 10 days he’ll be ready to pitch.”

Rodon has thrown 109⅔ innings, the most for him since 2018. He pitched 7⅔ innings in 2020 because of shoulder pain.

It’s possible Rodon could return to make a start next week in Toronto, La Russa said.

Leury Garcia was put on the seven-day IL, retroactive to Aug. 13, with a concussion after he ran into the outfield wall during the Field of Dreams Game.

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