Injured White Sox slugger Paul Konerko improving, targeting return next week

Paul Konerko insists he won't end his career on the sidelines.

The Chicago White Sox first baseman remains out with a fractured sesamoid bone in his left hand, but expects to perform baseball activities as early as this weekend. Konerko previously announced he will retire at the end of the season.

"The plan is to pick up a bat, maybe feel it, take some swings, and see what that feels like," Konerko said via MLB.com. "If that feels good, and there's nothing sticking out, less painful, take it from there and maybe hit some balls this weekend, Saturday."

Konerko said he would like to find his way back into the lineup during the club's nine-game road trip, which begins Monday in Kansas City.

The club remains hopeful that in a worst-case scenario Konerko will return for the team's final four home games of the season at the end of the month.