SB Nation Chicago - Paul Konerko Injury: White Sox First Baseman Hit In Face With Samardzija Pitch

Paul Konerko Injury Update: White Sox Slugger Could Be Available By Tuesday

2012-05-20T01:37:58Z

The Chicago White Sox may have their slugging first baseman back soon. According to Chicago Tribune, 1B Paul Konerko is poised for a Tuesday return after Friday's hit-by-pitch in the face:

"Once I knew that what I was seeing was the swelling, not something wrong with my eyeball …" Konerko said. "As soon as I knew that was the case, it really wasn't even that painful. You just know you can't see clearly out of it. It's more frustrating in that sense because at that point everything else feels great. There's nothing wrong with you, it's just kind of you have one eye and you can't play with one eye."

Konerko was hit on Friday by a 2-2 breaking ball from Chicago Cubs SP Jeff Samardzija -- who throws one of the hardest fastballs in the league at 95 mph. Samardzija later said the hit was not intentional.

For more news and updates from around the MLB, drop by Baseball Nation with Rob Neyer, or dig deeper into the stats at Beyond the Box Score. Also, check out the team blogs Bleed Cubbie Blue and South Side Sox.

Paul Konerko Injury Update: White Sox Slugger Back On Bench With Laceration, Swelling

2012-05-18T19:59:55Z

1B Paul Konerko was spotted back in the Chicago White Sox dugout following a scary hit in the face off an errant pitch from SP Jeff Samardzija. According to Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune, Konerko is still awaiting test results:

The initial report on Paul Konerko: slight laceration above his left eye, some swelling. He's being tested further and will be re-evaluated. Sounds like he might have gotten out without major trauma.

In the top of the third inning, Konerko got nailed in the forehead and had to be helped off the field with a towel pressed to his face to slow the bleeding. For now, it appears the 36-year-old slugger has avoided any major injuries.

Paul Konerko Injury: White Sox First Baseman Leaves Game After Hit In Face With Pitch

2012-05-18T19:25:46Z

Guyism.com shares this clip from the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs game on Friday.

Click for animation.

In the top of the third inning, Cubs SP Jeff Samardzija threw an errant 2-2 breaking ball that ricocheted off 1B Paul Konerko's helmet and into his face. Konerko fell to the ground and Samardzija immediately approached the plate in an apparent apologetic gesture. Konerko left the game with a severe cut on his face and is currently undergoing analysis.

LF Dayan Viciedo entered the game in Konerko's place, heading to left field as 1B Adam Dunn takes over at first.

In the bottom of the 4th inning, with slugger 1B Bryan LaHair batting, SP Philip Humber threw a 91 mph fastball over LaHair's head, eliciting a warning for both teams from home plate umpire Tim Timmons.