Dwayne Wise Takes Paul Konerko's Roster Spot

The only good thing about first baseman Paul Konerko being placed on the disabled list is that the White Sox will finally get a look at prospect Dwayne Wise, an outfielder who will take Konerko's roster spot.

Wise arrived in Chicago this morning even before Konerko was evaluated, as trainers already had feared the worst, WSEC Radio said.

Wise, hitting at a better than .300 clip with nine homers for Triple A Charlotte, will likely be used sparingly at first but if he proves worthy should get plenty of opportunities as Konerko's injured oblique muscle is sure to keep him down for a good month or more.

Nick Swisher will move to first base with Wise being mixed and matched with other hitters as circumstances dictate.

Wise reportedly runs well but is not the type of burner who steals a lot of bags, yet his athleticism punched his ticket to Chicago ahead of third baseman Josh Fields who presumably might have been able to cross the diamond to first base but has done nothing special at the plate this year.

Former Pittsburgh prospect Brad Eldred, like Konerko a lumbering first baseman, has been left to languish in the minors as well.

Update Brightens Paul Konerko's Outlook

An updated report on the condition of White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko considerably brightens his outlook for avoiding the disabled list, as his injury is now described as an intercostal muscle strain rather than an oblique.

Because of the difference in function between the two types of rib muscles, an oblique strain might have pointed to a need for several weeks of rest, whereas the intercostal muscle injury could mean as little as a few days, according to medical experts.

Still, it will be up to Konerko to tell when and if he can return to play, his decision based on how much pain he must endure. Disabled status remains a possibility.

Konerko sustained the injury in the batting cage during pregame practice Sunday, and is listed as day-to-day. He is to be re-evaluated Tuesday. Konerko sustained another, entirely different muscle strain in his back about two years ago, and missed only two games.

Konerko is commonly regarded by insiders to be psychologically indisposed to miss time for any reason.

Prognosis Disquieting for Chicago's Paul Konerko

A disquieting rumor circulating among the ubiquitous dram shops, dogstands and tee boxes of Greater Chicago holds that observers near the batting cage literally winced Sunday when first baseman Paul Konerko swung his mighty bat during a pregame warmup, and a discernible popping noise emanated from beneath the 6-foot-2 slugger's pinstriped tunic.

Only so much credence can be assigned to such MLB rumors, of course, but the Major League Baseball Information Highway being what it is, these and various other manifestations of gossip, hearsay and canard are unfortunately the sole conduit for information about potential injuries in the early going.

If true, this MLB rumor potentially portends of serious trouble for Konerko, who in all probability would be assigned to the disabled list for a minimum two weeks -- more likely four or more -- if the rib muscle he supposedly strained turns out to be significantly torn as would be the case in the instance of an audible popping noise.

In any event, an added incentive to sideline him would be the fact that Konerko has been dealing with an injured right thumb for six weeks, and both injuries might heal faster with rest.

However, no number of radiographs, CAT scans, sonograms or magnetic resonance images at this time will tell anyone anything any more about his rib muscles than will Konerko himself after his having the advantage of 48 hours rest, at the conclusion of which he will simply inform team physician Dr. Chuck Bushjoseph just exactly how he feels.

In other words whether he returns to play or not is this simple: If Konerko can swing the bat without pain or discomfort, he will be back; and if he can't, he will simply be forced to sit out for however many days are required, no more; no less.

Until then, only God knows the outcome.

Brian Anderson to Pick Up Slack for Paul Konerko

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.