Expect outfielder Brian Anderson to pick up most of the slack for the White Sox if first baseman Paul Konerko misses significant time with a rib cage injury -- a trip to the disabled list being a distinct possibility.
Anderson will be given extra playing time as outfielder Nick Swisher moves to first base until Konerko returns.
Though Konerko is listed as day-to-day for now, Manager Ozzie Guillen said during his post-game media conference Sunday that he is "not too optimistic" that Konerko can keep from missing several days, perhaps much more. Guillen was doubtful whether team's idle day on Monday would be enough to make a difference.
"Hopefully, with the day off it will be better," Guillen was quoted as saying in Monday's editions of the Chicago Sun-Times. "...You hope for the best."
Konerko felt a sharp pain near his ribs while swinging a bat before Sunday's game, with preliminary indications that it might be an oblique tear or strain. Konerko has been playing poorly all year, with his batting average mired at .215.
Doctor X -- the 'Baseball Medic' -- is an anonymous U.S. government trauma specialist with a Duke University sports medicine background and more than 20 years experience in emergency medicine. From time to time he considers MLB rumors, events and news reports as they pertain to baseball players' injuries, illnesses and various other disabilities, both on the field and off.
MLB Rumors editor Greg Fieg is a former sports news editor and award-winning writer whose bylines have appeared on the wires of the Associated Press and in numerous publications, including San Antonio Express-News, San Antonio Light, Houston Chronicle and Philadelphia Bulletin. He formerly was posted in various positions on the U.S.-Mexican border with Freedom Newspapers, and was a regular, independent contributor to United Press International.