White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko has been winding down his 18-year career in a part-time role, but now it may come to a premature end.
Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports that Konerko has a fracture in the sesamoid bone in his left hand and will be sidelined for at least one week. White Sox manager Robin Ventura is said to be “very hopeful” that Konerko can return to play again before the season is over, but at age 38 and with less than a month remaining it’s obviously no sure thing.
Konerko has struggled in his farewell season, hitting just .220 with five homers and a .616 OPS in 74 games and he had similarly poor production as a full-time player in 2013. Prior to that, however, Konerko topped an .800 OPS in 12 of 14 seasons while making six All-Star teams and smacking 30 or more homers seven times.