HEADLINE

Jose Abreu joining White Sox in Houston after COVID scare

Field Level Media

October 06, 2021 at 9:01 pm.

Chicago White Sox slugger Jose Abreu tested negative for COVID-19 and will fly to Houston to join his club ahead of the American League Division Series against the Houston Astros.

Abreu, the reigning AL MVP, will be a game-day decision for Game 1 on Thursday.

The first baseman sat out Chicago’s regular season finale Sunday with an illness and did not travel with the team to Houston Tuesday. It turned out Abreu had the flu, not COVID-19, manager Tony La Russa said Wednesday, and his condition is improving.

Abreu batted .261 with 30 home runs, 30 doubles and 117 RBIs this season for the AL Central champion White Sox. He is a career .290 hitter and led the majors in RBIs in the pandemic-abridged 2020 season en route to his first MVP award.