Paul Konerko requires offseason surgery

Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko told reporters, including Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com, that he will undergo offseason surgery to remove a floating bone fragment from his left hand:

"It is something I need to take care of," Konerko said. "I don't feel it has impacted anything I've done this year. It is just time to get it out of the way."

The procedure will remove a particle that floats between Konerko’s hand and left wrist area. It’s something the slugger’s been dealing with since 2009, requiring the occasional shot and treatment, but it hasn’t significantly impacted his performance so it wasn’t made an immediate concern. He now says it’s something that he needs to "take care of."

Konerko has turned in another impressive season for the White Sox, but he’s cooled off a bit since his red-hot start. Over 525 at-bats he’s hit .297/.369/.482 with 22 doubles and 25 home runs.

Konerko is under team control through next season, as the 36-year-old is set to earn $13.5 million in 2013.