Konerko To Rehab With Barons

The Birmingham Barons and Chicago White Sox have announced that Paul Konerko will join the Barons on rehab beginning Thursday, July 18th. He is scheduled to play in four games with the Barons through Sunday, July 21st.

Konerko, 37, is in his 14th season with the White Sox after being acquired from the Cincinnati Reds organization in exchange for former Barons Mike Cameron prior to the 1999 season. This will be his first ever appearance in a Barons uniform.

Konerko is recovering from a lower back strain that has sidelined him since July 3rd. In 67 games with the White Sox this season, Konerko is hitting .249 (63-for-253) with seven home runs, 25 runs scored and 30 RBI.

A six-time All-Star selection, Konerko also won the 2004 American League Comeback Player of the Year award. He is the only remaining player on the White Sox roster who was a member of the 2005 World Series Championship team. He was a vital member of that championship team, winning ALCS MVP honors after hitting .286 (6-for-21) with two home runs, two runs and seven RBI.

He was named White Sox team captain prior to the 2006 season and holds a team record with 13 seasons of 20 or more home runs. He also ranks among the franchise leader in many offensive categories including home runs (2nd, 422), RBI (2nd, 1,337), doubles (3rd, 391) and hits (3rd, 2,198).