Konerko aiming for a quick return
A little pain in his sprained right knee is not going to keep Paul Konerko from trying to help the White Sox win the AL Central and get into the playoffs.
Hours after getting the good news that an MRI confirmed only a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee, Konerko said Wednesday he planned to return to the lineup as soon as possible though not committing to a timetable.
"I've learned not to make predictions because if you're wrong, it looks like a setback," Konerko said. "In my mind I just want to wait until there's function to get back in there."
The first baseman was hurt in the fifth inning in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader loss to the Toronto Blue Jays when he slipped on the infield grass at U.S. Cellular Field making a defensive play.
"As soon as I can do what I want to do, even if there's a little pain," he added, "we'll go get 'em. I've got to be able to move my back knee, and that's a move that would hurt right now."
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen thought he had seen the last of Konerko for a long time when he saw his slugger crumple to the ground holding his knee.
"I thought he was out for good, like that football player, the guy who kisses all the good-looking girls," Guillen said, referring to Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who tore an ACL in his knee Sunday.
Already dealing with the losses of regulars Carlos Quentin (broken wrist) and Joe Crede (back soreness), likely for the rest of the regular season, Guillen now must negotiate his club through another injury, even if Konerko's problem isn't nearly as serious.
Guillen used more of a speed lineup Wednesday against the Blue Jays with Dewayne Wise in left field and Jerry Owens in center. Nick Swisher played first base for Konerko.
"We have to expect better from these guys with Crede, Konerko and Quentin not there," Guillen said. "Everyone has to step up a notch - now two notches, three notches. Everyone has to be the best they can be for the next 2 weeks.
"I still believe in the guys we have out there, but you've got to play right now. This is a pennant race, not a September call-up. We have to execute better, we have to run the bases better, we have to get on base, we have to bunt. These guys are supposed to do that, and they better do that."
Guillen felt using Wise and Owens gave the Sox the best chance of beating Toronto's stud right-hander Roy Halladay on Wednesday.
"We're going to play matchups," Guillen said. "We've got a couple lefties out there (against Halladay), and (Brian) Anderson will get some at-bats. We're going to look for the best lineup.
"Believe me, we're not going to lose this championship because we won't fight. I will make them fight to the end, and if they don't fight they will have to fight me."
The White Sox aren't the only team struggling to the finish line. The Cubs have been reeling, the Brewers have blown game after game, and Minnesota has had more downs than ups of late while trying to catch the Sox.
"It's stress (and) being tired - everybody feels the same way," Guillen said. "No baseball club stays at the same level all year. They're not that good physically or mentally."