Konerko not sweating out Final Vote balloting

After the first day of voting, White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko is running fourth in a field of five for the final spot on the American League all-star roster.

The Yankees' Nick Swisher, who played for the Sox in 2008, leads the Final Vote balloting by a narrow margin over the Red Sox' Kevin Youkilis.

The Rangers' Michael Young is third, followed by Konerko and the Twins' Delmon Young.

Konerko is batting .299 and ranks among AL leaders with 20 home runs and 58 RBI.

"It's always nice to go to the All-Star Game, but I'm at a pretty tough position," Konerko said. "It's one of those things where you try not paying too much attention to it. Just go out and play and if it happens, great. If not, take the time off and get ready for the second half."

Konerko has played in three All-Star Games - in 2002, '05 and '06.

"This kid should be out there, but that's the way it is," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "As a manager, I'd rather him be in Arizona taking care of his family, having a good time with his family and come back to help us. That's my situation.

"But there's nothing better, believe me, than to be in the All-Star Game. You see people; you hang around with the best."

Beckham on the outs? Brent Lillibridge made his second straight start at second base Monday, and Gordon Beckham took another seat on the bench.

Saying he's more concerned about winning games than letting players emerge from deep slumps, manager Ozzie Guillen sounds like he's going to stay with the hot hand.

That would be Lillibridge, who was 1-for-3 with 1 RBI and a stolen base in Monday's win over the Angels. He also has 5 hits and 4 RBI in his last 9 at-bats.

"I love the way he plays," Guillen said. "I think I'm going to take advantage of his hot bat. If this kid continues to have a hot bat, I'll find a place to play him."

Beckham is batting .206, but Guillen said he hasn't permanently lost his starting job.

"He's still my second baseman," Guillen said. "But right now, I think the way Lillibridge is playing, I'm going to give him a shot."

Vizquel update: Omar Vizquel made an early exit from Sunday's game at Texas after being hit on the left knee by a pitch from Rangers starter Scott Feldman.

X-rays were negative, and the 43-year-old infielder could return to the White Sox' lineup in the next day or two.

"When I went down, I went down because it really hurt," Vizquel said. "But when I tried to touch it I felt that it was like a little ball there, something that I never felt before.

"It was a vein that kind of popped out because of the blood, and when we went to the X-rays I was really afraid because I thought they were going to say my knee was really screwed up.

"But it hit the bone and I guess it was just a bone bruise."