Paul Konerko hopes to return to Chicago White Sox this weekend
By Ed Carroll
Paul Konerko had already announced his intentions to retire at the end of the year, but it looks like Chicago White Sox fans will get the chance to see the longtime first baseman play at least a few more times before he rides off into the sunset, whether his recent hand injury has fully healed or not.
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MLB.com’s Scott Merkin reported the worst-case scenario for Konerko’s injury remains for the 38-year old is for him to return for the White Sox’s final home stand against the Kansas City Royals. Konerko suffered the hand injury on September 3 while applying a tag to Minnesota Twins centerfielder Danny Santana. Konerko had announced prior to the season 2014 would be his last, and the 18-year veteran (the last 16 with Chicago) appears to want to play for sure one more time this season.
Konerko today: "I’ll finish on the field. ...I don’t care if I go up there and take three pitches and strike out, I’ll finish on the field."
— Colleen Kane (@ChiTribKane) September 6, 2014
The White Sox are technically still alive in the American League playoff hunt, but with an elimination number of three (a combination of White Sox losses and wins by the division leader, right now the Kansas City Royals), the White Sox are all but sure to be eliminated by the time of Konerko’s return. As a long-time fan favorite, it’s unlikely there will be much grumbling if Konerko wasn’t playing at 100 percent for his final games.
Konerko himself doesn’t appear to be concerned with the rehab process this time around:
"Once I know it’s good, it’s not like I have to go through a program of building it back up. If I can hit a pitched ball, I’ll be available the next night. Or that night. There will be some discomfort, but it’s enough that I can keep on it and not have to worry about it setting me back any more"