Chicago White Sox: Paul Konerko Not Missing a Beat After Wrist Procedure

The Chicago White Sox got John Danks his first win of the season Monday night with a 3-1 besting of Seattle at U.S. Cellular Field. 

Aiding the cause was Paul Konerko, who homered in the fourth to open the scoring.

It was great to see Danks, who pitched well into the eighth inning, pick up the slack for the possible loss of Jake Peavy. It was was equally key to see that Konerko has continued to produce after undergoing a procedure on his left wrist.

Konerko has had a loose fragment floating around that wrist for some time. It had found it's way into a sensitive area, making it necessary to dislodge the fragment on Friday afternoon. 

Konerko then missed the White Sox games on Friday and Saturday against Detroit.

For the player who is currently leading the club in batting average and RBI, Konerko's issues with his wrist draw a lot of concern. However, since his return to the lineup Sunday, it's been so far, so good.

Konerko has knocked in runs in both games since he came back, even raising his average to .314 on the season. He has complained of soreness, but apparently the procedure was successful in allowing him to perform.

It's worth monitoring this situation because the last thing the White Sox need is to lose their captain for a lengthy stretch of the season. 

Surgery to remove the fragment would surely result in such a loss.

Konerko has dealt with this condition for several seasons. Offseason surgery may be the ultimate solution, but he has said that he will play so long as the wrist doesn't become too painful.

With Konerko hitting .333 in his last 15 games and Chicago now just six games back in the AL Central, it is clear that an effective captain in the lineup is crucial. 

We may see Konerko DH a bit more frequently as the team tries to get Adam Dunn's bat on track, but his offense is key to the White Sox's hopes to climb back into the race.