Out since June 15 with a left oblique strain, Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko was cleared to play and has been activated by Chicago to be available for their upcoming series against the Kansas City Royals. With Konerko's return, someone had to go and Pablo Ozuna was designated for assignment to make room. Ozuna will need to clear waivers in order for the Sox to keep him in the organization.
While Konerko was away, the White Sox 4 1/2 game division lead dwindled to just 1 1/2 games over the hard-charging Minnesota Twins although Chicago went 13-7. During the same stretch, the Twins went 16-4 and closed the gap by three games.
The former All-Star has struggled so far this season hitting .215 with eight home runs and 30 RBI in 62 games. Konerko was showing signs of a turn around before the injury -- he was 10-for-32 with one homer and 4 RBI in the eight games before he was sidelined.
The White Sox could lose Ozuna on the waiver wire. In his fourth season with the White Sox, the 33-year-old utilityman was hitting .281 and in his career has played every position with the exception of catcher. In June, Ozuna was 7-for-20 and showed the ability to be an excellent pinch hitter and pinch runner.
KONERKO'S PLAYER PAGE ON BASEBALL DIGEST DAILY OZUNA'S PLAYER PAGE ON BASEBALL DIGEST DAILY
More troubles for Detroit's Dontrelle Willis in the Minors. Willis was examined on Tuesday and the team announced the examination revealed the struggling pitcher was diagnosed with tendinitis in his right knee -- the same knee that put him on the DL in April.
Now, Willis will be forced to wear a brace as he continues to search for his control at Class A Lakeland. Since joining Lakeland, Willis appeared in one game on June 29 and allowed one run on one hit and three walks in two innings of work.
Willis is currently not scheduled to appear in a game for Lakeland and there is no timetable set for his return to a game at any level of ball. Also, it is unsure of how this latest injury will hamper his return.
WILLIS' PLAYER PAGE ON BASEBALL DIGEST DAILY
Three players landed on the 15-day disabled list today:
Washington Nationals outfielder Elijah Dukes will require surgery to repair his injured right knee which has forced the team to place him on the 15-day disabled list. Dukes injured himself chasing down a deep fly ball off the bat of Cincinnati's Jay Bruce on Saturday. Dukes is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.
New York Mets outfielder Ryan Church cannot shake the lingering effects of the concussion he suffered on May 20. Church will head to the DL again due to migraine headaches. He will be replaced by outfielder Nick Evans.
Marlins catcher Matt Treanor was also placed on the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday due to a left hip strain. In his absence, catcher John Baker was called up from Triple-A Albuquerque. Baker has never played in the Majors and joins Paul Hoover and his 59 career plate appearances as the Marlins' only backstop options. It is no secret Florida is searching for a catcher before the July 31 trade deadline.