Jose Abreu on skipping Home Run Derby: 'I don't have any regrets'

Chicago White Sox slugger Jose Abreu declined Jose Bautista's invitation to join the American League Home Run Derby squad, and he isn't sweating the decision.

“I’ve always felt (that) what I do, I need to do with a goal and objective,” Abreu said via an interpreter. “I’ve done the Home Run Derby five times in Cuba. I never won it. I always said, when I was asked about it, I wasn’t going to participate. If given the opportunity in the future, maybe I’ll consider it, but no, I don’t have any regrets about that.” 

Abreu's 29 homers are the most in the bigs and the rookie is pleased with his first-half effort.

"What I've done in the first half has surpassed what I expected," Abreu added. "I hoped to have a good season and play well for the White Sox, but I've been blessed in the first half."