Sox’ Konerko expects to be back Tuesday
Paul Konerko was feeling better Sunday, just not good enough to play.
“Almost today, but it’s still my vision,” Konerko said. “I still see skin, so we have to get that out of the way. I would think Tuesday.”
Konerko has been sidelined since being hit above the left eye by a pitch from Cubs starter Jeff Samardzija in the third inning Friday.
The White Sox are off Monday, and Konerko is hoping to return for Tuesday night’s game against the Minnesota Twins at U.S. Cellular Field.
“He was hopeful (Saturday) night, but it’s looking more like Tuesday,” manager Robin Ventura said. “He’s trying to take swings to see what it looks like, but you don’t want to put a guy out there that can’t fully see. There is enough swelling above his eye that he can’t fully see.”
Remembering Hickey:
Visitation for White Sox pregame instructor and former relief pitcher Kevin Hickey is set for Monday from 3-9 p.m. at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home in Justice.
A funeral mass will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday at Old St. Pat’s Church in Chicago.
Hickey passed away Wednesday at 56.
He failed to show up for the Sox’ workout in Texas on April 5, a day before the season opener. Hickey was found unresponsive in his hotel room and never emerged from a coma.
“That’s the reality of life,” manager Robin Ventura said. “He’s missed; he was a joy to be around. He was fun, a White Sox guy through and through.
“Those are things we deal with off the field. When you’re playing you’re playing. Off the field you think about him. His locker is there, his jersey is still hanging.”
After the Sox swept the Cubs on Sunday at Wrigley, they were awarded the BP Cup and posed for a team photo on the field. Ventura held the Cup and pitching coach Don Cooper held up Hickey’s jersey.
Good cause:
Jake Peavy’s mother is battling cancer, and so is San Diego bullpen coach Darrel Akerfelds, whom Peavy got to know when he pitched for the Padres.
Before the White Sox play the Cubs on June 18-20 at U.S. Cellular Field, Peavy is raffling off a package to help raise money.
“I have a raffle on netraffle.org,” Peavy said. “Experience a day with some sweet tickets, dugout seats, and batting practice, hang out with the boys. I want to do some things in their honor for charity and research.
“Cool experience. Fly you and your family in, put you up in a hotel in the city and hang out. It will be fun. I’m going draw a name out of a hat before the next Cubs-Sox series.”