MLB Notes – White Sox’s Jose Abreu wins AL Player, Rookie of the Month

One month into the season, the Chicago White Sox are gradually earning their fans’ trust, if not their patronage, one Jose Abreu home run at a time.

Abreu’s hitting tear has created a minor buzz in Chicago and beyond. On Monday he became the second player in baseball history to win his league’s overall and rookie player of the month honors in his first month in the majors, ESPN Chicago reported.

He and Yasiel Puig of the Los Angeles Dodgers are the only players to win both awards in their debut month in the majors. Puig did it when he burst on the scene last June.

Abreu looked good in spring training, but no one predicted the 27-year-old Cuban would set major league rookie records for April with 10 home runs and 31 RBIs.

Braves shake it up

Looking to shake up his run-challenged team, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez decided on something drastic.

Pitcher Aaron Harang was batting eighth for Monday night’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Second baseman Ramiro Pena took the ninth spot in the order for Atlanta, which also switched around brothers B.J. and Justin Upton.

“The offense is sputtering around,” Gonzalez said before batting practice. “Why not do it?”

Gonzalez wouldn’t say how long he plans to keep the pitcher in the eighth spot, but indicated it wouldn’t be for just one game. The pitchers were 0 for 2, Pena was 2 for 4 in a 4-3 loss to the Cardinals.

Surgery for OF Bruce

Reds right fielder Jay Bruce had surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left knee and will be sidelined for about a month.

Bruce was scratched from the starting lineup Sunday because of a sore knee but pinch hit and struck out during a 4-3, 10-inning win over Milwaukee. He had tests Sunday night that detected the tear.

Giambi placed on DL

The Indians have placed designated hitter Jason Giambi on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right calf muscle.

Giambi was removed from Saturday night’s game against the Chicago White Sox after grounding into a double play in the fourth inning.

Marlins pitcher OK

Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez says he’s fine and won’t miss a turn after being hit by a batted ball.

Fernandez was struck on the inside of the left thigh during Sunday’s 5-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Fernandez said he had a painful bruise, but that he was feeling better.

Fernandez is 4-1 with a 1.74 ERA in seven starts.