"Paul Konerko likely will miss at least one more start tonight. Konerko, who has missed the first two games of the four-game series with the New York Yankees after he was hit by a pitch on the left leg Sunday, didn't talk with reporters after the game Tuesday night.

''I don't think — because tomorrow he's going to start hitting to see how it feels — it's going to be hard for him to say, 'I'm good, let's go play.' '' Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. ''I said I know we need you, but in the meanwhile I don't want him to go out there and start getting bad at-bats just to be there.''

Guillen will make sure Konerko is ready.

''He's going to start hitting tomorrow then, and we'll see what happens and how he feels,'' he said.

When Konerko returns, he'll play first base, not designated hitter.

''We're better, obviously, when PK's at first base,'' Guillen said. ''I think we need good defense. He's not the type of guy that's going to move out there all over the place, but I think if you're looking for him, he'll be at first base. If he wants to play but he don't know if he can tolerate that much pain for three or four hours, then I will change my mind.''

Tips from the master

Sergio Santos, a budding closer at the time, sought out Mariano Rivera when the Sox were in New York in late April. He wanted to pick the brain of one of the best and had a conversation he'll never forget.

''It's amazing,'' Santos said of Rivera's nine-pitch — all for strikes — ninth inning Monday night. ''The first thing you notice is how loud the cheers were that he got at a visiting stadium. That's the respect he's earned."