Guillen trying not to rush Konerko
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen saw injured first baseman Paul Konerko exercising in the clubhouse Wednesday afternoon.
Guillen kept walking.
"I'm not going to ask him,'' Guillen said. "I'm going to wait for him to come to me because every day, if the manager keeps asking, 'How you doing, how you doing?' that means (Konerko) has to rush. It's getting uncomfortable for him. Every time he's around the clubhouse, myself and (general manager) Kenny (Williams) and everybody asking him how he feels, it's not a comfortable thing to be around.''
After another encouraging round of batting practice Wednesday, Konerko could be heading to Class AAA Charlotte on a rehabilitation assignment as early as today.
Konerko has been sidelined since June 15 with a strained left oblique muscle.
"It's still in there but I'm in control of it, not the other way around,'' Konerko said. "It probably will be in there for a while, but I think it's ready for Triple-A soon. If it's ready for that, then it's a matter of getting my bearings back. I've got to play first base. It's not all hitting. I want to get some bad throws where I have to reach. I think it's right there.''
Jenks watch: Manager Ozzie Guillen held closer Bobby Jenks out of the first two games against the Indians.
Jenks pitched against the Cubs on Saturday and Sunday and struggled through 1 stressful inning in each of the games.
"I think he was overthrowing,'' Guillen said. "He just got tired and his back got a little stiff. He's fine. He tried to overthrow against the Cubs and he got fatigued a little bit. He's not the type of guy that's going to ask for a day off.''
First step: Adam Russell didn't have to work very hard to get his first major-league win.
Against the Indians Tuesday night, Russell relieved Matt Thornton with two on and two outs in the top of the 10th inning and struck out Franklin Gutierrez.
Cleveland took a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the 10th before the White Sox rallied for 2 runs to win.
"I just took a chance with (Russell),'' manager Ozzie Guillen said. "You have to put guys in tough situations and see how they respond. That's how you learn how to pitch in the big leagues.''
Said Russell: "It was a pretty great feeling. Any way he's looking to use me, however I can help this team, I'm willing to do it.''