Konerko returns to lineup
CLEVELAND -- The White Sox' offense needs all the help it can get.
Paul Konerko is hoping to provide some, and after trying to play with a sore right hand since late April, the Sox' captain finally is starting to feel like his old self.
Konerko was back in the lineup Monday night after sitting out the past three games. He had a cortisone shot Friday and gave himself the green light to play against the Indians after taking early batting practice.
"It's definitely calmed down,'' said Konerko, who was 0-for-6 Monday. "I know it's not going to go away or be totally pain free, but hopefully it's at the point where it's not going to factor into what I want to do up there.
"Everybody playing now has some nicks and nagging things; that's the way it is when you play every day. But it just kind of crossed over.''
Getting jammed three times in the same April 28 game by Baltimore Orioles starter Daniel Cabrera initiated the injury, but Konerko said he's not going to shy away from inside pitches.
"It doesn't really change much because that's the way they pitch me anyway,'' Konerko said. "Sinkers in, sliders away. You have to make the good decisions. My strength usually is on the inner part.
"But having said that, even when you are feeling good, a lot of outs are by getting in a little too deep. That's how you should make your outs.''
Shocking loss: White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said he was stunned Monday when he heard a fellow Venezuelan, former major-league pitcher Geremi Gonzalez, was struck by lightning and killed at 33.
"That's bad news,'' Guillen said. "The thing that shocked me the most when they called me from home was: 'What was he doing in Venezuela?' He pitched well in the winter and it was hard to believe he didn't have a job, even in Mexico, Italy, Korea, anywhere.
"That was a shock. It's a sad situation. I think we're missing a very good man. I always say you've got to enjoy your life every day. And you live your life like it was the last one. You never know what's going to happen.''
Big Brad: Class AAA Charlotte first baseman Brad Eldred hit a grand slam for Class AAA Charlotte on Monday.
Eldred has 18 home runs, 1 behind Toledo's Mike Hessman for the International League lead.