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Paul Konerko hopes to return to White Sox next week from fractured hand

Chicago White Sox first baseman/DH Paul Konerko hopes to return from a fractured hand sometime during the team's nine-game road trip that begins Monday.
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Chicago White Sox first baseman/DH Paul Konerko hopes to return from a fractured hand sometime during the team's nine-game road trip that begins Monday, Konerko said to MLB.com.

Konerko fractured the sesamoid bone in his left hand Sept. 2 in a game against the Minnesota Twins. At the time it was believed Konerko would miss just up to a week, but he said he's been making progress daily. More from Konerko:

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"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."

Konerko has been told he can't further aggravate the injury by playing through it.

Even if Konerko can't make it back on the next road trip, he would likely still be fine to play in Chicago's final series of the season, a four-game set against the Kansas City Royals that begins Sept. 25. The 18-year-veteran is retiring after the season ends.

Konerko, 38, has hit .279 with an .842 OPS and 439 home runs over his career and has made six All-Star teams. This season, Konerko is hitting .220 with five home runs in 186 at-bats.

Ben Estes