NEW YORK, May 2 (UPI) -- Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jose Contreras was named Tuesday as the American League Pitcher of the Month for April.
New York Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi was named the Player of the Month and Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon was named the Rookie of the Month.
Contreras was 4-0 with a 1.45 ERA in five starts for the defending world champion White Sox. This is the second consecutive AL Pitcher of the Month Award for Contreras, who finished last season by winning the monthly honor for September.
The Cuban right-hander is 15-2 since the 2005 All-Star break and became the first AL pitcher since Pedro Martinez (1999-2000) to finish one season and begin the next as the reigning Pitcher of the Month.
Giambi batted .344 with nine homers, 27 RBI, 17 runs scored and 52 total bases in April.
