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Cubs honor Konerko's final Wrigley appearance

Unless, ahem, the White Sox and Cubs both get real good real fast and meet up again in the World Series, Paul Konerko was in uniform at Wrigley Field for the final time Tuesday night.

Retiring at the end of the season, Konerko was honored by the Cubs in a pregame ceremony. Cubs starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija presented Konerko with his uniform No. 14 from the Wrigley Field scoreboard.

Ironically, Konerko homered off Samardzija in a 2012 interleague game at Wrigley. The next time up, Samardzija hit Konerko in the face.

Konerko never thought the pitch was intentional, and he considers Samardzija to be a friend. Konerko said he will miss Wrigley Field.

"It's a real fun place to play on the field, and it's a great place to hit when it's hot," Konerko said. "You grew up watching places like this on TV, Fenway (Park), Yankee Stadium and all that, and after all these years it's still kind of cool knowing that you were one of those guys that was out there playing."

Sierra steps in:

Moises Sierra, claimed off waivers Saturday from the Toronto Blue Jays and added to the 25-man roster the next day, made his first start of the season Tuesday night for the White Sox.

Adam Dunn was scheduled to make his second straight start in left field but was a late scratch with a bruised right calf. Dayan Viciedo shifted from right field to left and Sierra started in right. Toronto designated Sierra for assignment last week after the 25-year-old outfielder opened the season with 2 hits in 34 at-bats.

Sierra had 4 hits in his first 4 at-bats with the Sox on Tuesday, although he was picked off first base after the second single.

With Adam Eaton (hamstring) on the disabled list and Avisail Garcia (shoulder surgery) out for the season, Sierra has a chance to make a good impression.

"I feel happy that the organization picked me up off waivers," he said. "Those were kind of tough times for me, so I'm very happy to be here. We're going to work on consistency. My consistency at the plate is one of those things that hasn't been there."

Gillaspie return?

Third baseman Conor Gillaspie (sore left hand) is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, and that means the White Sox have a difficult decision coming.

When Gillaspie is ready to return from his rehab assignment with Class AAA Charlotte, Marcus Semien or Leury Garcia could be headed back to the minor leagues.

"That stuff's always tough," manager Robin Ventura said. "It's never good news for somebody. But Conor being close and coming back, it's having to make decisions and talk about it and see what fits best."

In three rehab games at Charlotte, Gillaspie is 2-for-12 with 1 home run. He's batting .302 with 12 RBI in 16 games with the Sox.

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