Swisher to return to center field

Konerko's imminent return forces move

By Mark Gonzales | Tribune reporter

10:44 PM CDT, July 3, 2008

The White Sox won 11 of their first 15 games after Paul Konerko went on the disabled list, and Nick Swisher's batting average has increased 22 points since he moved from center field to first base.

But manager Ozzie Guillen stresses that Swisher will return to center when Konerko rejoins the Sox, perhaps as soon as Tuesday when they open a six-game trip at Kansas City.

"He doesn't have any choice," Guillen said of Swisher's move to the outfield. "It's going to be hard. We're going to make a couple of moves. ... We don't have any decision yet. When that day comes, we should be prepared. But what decision we're going to make, my center fielder obviously has to be Swisher."

Swisher's best position is first base, but it has been Konerko's since he joined the Sox in 1999.

With Jim Thome serving exclusively as the designated hitter, Guillen has few options but to return Swisher to center, where he has made 42 of his 84 starts.

Meanwhile, Konerko hopes to regain his hitting stroke, which has deserted him this season. He was batting .215 with eight home runs and 30 RBIs when he strained his left oblique muscle during batting practice June 15.

Konerko pronounced himself ready to start a minor-league rehabilitation assignment Friday night with Triple-A Charlotte after testing the left side Thursday during batting and fielding practice.

"It's good we're winning," Konerko said. "My focus is solely on this team getting to the playoffs. I have no other motives, nothing else. That's it for me, so I'm glad we're playing well and this weekend can go well for these guys.

"I just want to get back and help and get big hits in the second half. I probably won't have what I usually have at the end of the year, and that's fine. I'll do it next year.

"What hits I get and when I get them is what my focus is on."

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