Sox’ Konerko goes on 7-day DL

Paul Konerko’s toughness and pain tolerance cannot be questioned.

Two years ago, he was hit in the face by a pitch from Twins starter Carl Pavano. The White Sox’ first baseman stayed in the game and later homered.

This season, Konerko was hit in the face again, this time by Cubs starter Jeff Samardzija. He missed two games.

Konerko has also been dealing with a floating bone chip in his left wrist that is going to require surgery at the end of the season.

For now, the Sox’ captain is trying to shake off a concussion and he landed on baseball’s special seven-day disabled list Friday. Konerko is eligible to play this Friday at Kansas City.

Konerko hasn’t been available to the media since being elbowed on the right side of his head by the Royals’ Jarrod Dyson in a play at first base Tuesday night. He did speak with manager Robin Ventura Friday after being reevaluated.

“He seems fine,” Ventura said. “But again, in talking to him and him having to go play are two different things. As far as being nauseated, it’s not as bad as the other day but he does feel it. He does have all the symptoms of a concussion.”

Roster move:

With Paul Konerko on the disabled list, the White Sox were one player short Friday.

They’ll make a corresponding move before Saturday’s game against Oakland. Calling up Dan Johnson from Class AAA Charlotte is the obvious choice, considering he plays first base and was leading the International League with 25 home runs and 87 walks while ranking second with 73 RBI heading into Friday’s play.

Johnson would need to have his contract purchased since he is not on the Sox’ 40-man roster.

Rotation switch:

The A’s initially announced left-hander Tommy Milone (9-9, 3.91 ERA) and right-hander Jarrod Parker (7-6, 3.55) as their starting pitchers for Saturday and Sunday.

Both rookies have been struggling and are in need of some additional rest, so Oakland is now going with left-hander Travis Blackley (4-3, 3.30) Saturday and Bartolo Colon (9-8, 3.38) Sunday.

As for the Sox, Francisco Liriano is still a little sore after being hit on the right quad by a line drive in his last outing, Sunday against the Angels.

Liriano is good to go against Blackley, and the left-hander has pitched 11 innings and allowed 3 runs on 8 hits in his first 2 starts for the Sox.

When he was still with the Twins, Liriano lost to the A’s on July 13 despite pitching 8 innings, allowing 3 earned runs and striking out 15.

Minor move:

The White Sox traded Class AAA Charlotte utility man Tyler Kuhn to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday for cash considerations.

Kuhn, a 15th-round pick in the 2008 draft, had a .273/.309/.384 hitting line with Charlotte this season.