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Konerko working hard to return

Paul Konerko’s sore left leg was feeling better Tuesday, but the White Sox’ top hitter sat out his second straight game and might not be back until Thursday.

Konerko has been spending most of his time with trainer Herm Schneider since getting hit by a Andrew Miller pitch on the side of his left knee during Sunday’s loss to the Red Sox.

Manager Ozzie Guillen spoke to Konerko before Tuesday night’s weather-delayed game against the Yankees and was encouraged.

“If he moves forward the way he did from yesterday until today, he might get a shot (to play Wednesday),” Guillen said. “All the stuff he does is about hitting, and he needs to use his legs very well. Hopefully he can take some flips and start hitting tomorrow and we’ll figure it out.”

Guillen needs Konerko’s bat in the lineup as soon as possible, but he’s prepared to wait out his return.

“Tomorrow, he’s going to start hitting to see how it feels,” Guillen said. “It’s going to be hard for him to say, ‘I’m good; let’s go play.’ You want to, but in the meanwhile I don’t want him to go out there and start getting bad at-bats just to be there. Make sure that when he’s back he can help us. He’s going to start hitting tomorrow then and we’ll see what happens tomorrow and how he feels.”

Adam Dunn has been playing first base, but he’ll return to designated hitter when Konerko is ready to return.

“(Konerko’s) my first baseman,” Guillen said. “We’re better obviously when P.K.’s at first base. I think we need good defense. If he wants to play but he don’t know if he can tolerate that much pain for three or four hours then I will change my mind.”

Minor matters:Dayan Viciedo returned to Class AAA Charlotte#146;s lineup Tuesday night, but it appears the White Sox#146; top hitting prospect lost his edge while sitting out nine games with a sore hand.

In Charlotte#146;s 18-3 loss to Durham, Viciedo was 0-for-4 with 3 strikeouts, dropping his batting average to .304.

Keenyn Walker, the Sox#146; top pick in this year#146;s amateur draft, batted .333 in 15 games for Advanced Rookie Bristol before being promoted.

The switch hitter is playing for Class A Kannapolis, and Walker is batting .208 through six games after going 1-for-5 with 2 strikeouts for the Intimidators Tuesday.

Right-handed pitcher Zach Stewart, acquired in a trade from Toronto last week, made his first start for Class AAA Charlotte on Sunday.

Stewart took the loss after allowing 3 runs on 10 hits in 6#8531; innings.

Daley nightThe White Sox will honor former Mayor Richard M. Daley before Wednesday night#146;s game against the Yankees.

The Sox are going to present Daley with the 2011 Roland Hemond Award for his 22 years of service as Chicago mayor.