CHICAGO -- Paul Konerko will likely be watching from the bench for the start of what figures to be his 16th and final opening da

CHICAGO -- Paul Konerko will likely be watching from the bench for the start of what figures to be his 16th and final opening day with the Chicago White Sox And the 38-year-old first baseman is comfortable with that decision, which ends a streak of 15 consecutive opening-day starts. Cheap Tigers Jerseys . Konerkos new role is as a right-handed-hitting platoon player at designated hitter. With Minnesota starting right-hander Ricky Nolasco, left-handed-hitting Adam Dunn will start. "I just think its the way it should be," Konerko said Sunday as both teams conducted voluntary workouts. "Its just not part of the blueprint of what were going to do here. ... Its pretty simple. Theres a plan and roles of when guys play and when they dont." A six-time All-Star, Konerko agreed in December to a $2.5 million, one-year contract. White Sox manager Robin Ventura said Konerko made the choice to stay with the platoon. "In talking to Paulie, its not an easy decision," Ventura said, "but when you go over how youre going to do this and make this work, he made it clear this is kind of what he signed up to do." Left-hander Chris Sale starts for the White Sox. He was surprised by Konerkos decision but said he respected it. "I think he should be out there," Sale said. "What hes done for this city, what hes done for this team, who hes been throughout his career, I think hes earned that. But what he says, goes." Starting his second White Sox opener, Sale faces Nolasco in only the third time opening-day meeting between the teams and the first since 1993. After a lengthy and severe Chicago winter, Mondays forecast calls for partly sunny skies and a 65-degree temperature. The White Sox are coming off a 63-99 season, their poorest record since 1970. Their projected lineup features five players making their opening-day debuts, including Cuban slugger Jose Abreu, who signed a $68 million, six-year contract. "I dont really know where Im going to be hitting, but it doesnt matter," Abreu said through a translator. "To be honest with you, thats irrelevant. Im ready to hit wherever they put me. Im here to help the team." Minnesota (66-96) committed $73 million to sign Nolasco (13-11 for Miami and the Los Angeles Dodgers) and Phil Hughes in an effort to rebuild its pitching. "Its important to get off to a good start," Nolasco said. "I know theyve been struggling the last couple years, but weve been working hard as a staff trying to go out there do quick, efficient innings, get us back in the dugout and try to swing the bats." Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Nolasco is ready for the season. "Rickys game on," he said. "Im not worried about him one bit. Hell go until he tells us hes tired. Hes very sure of what he needs to do to win." Despite snow piles and a frozen field earlier this month, Roger Bossards groundskeepers got the playing surface ready at U.S. Cellular Field. "Im impressed," Ventura said. "We thought thered be an iceberg out in left field with all the reports we got. ... But we knew Roger would pull it off this off." Wholesale Tigers Jerseys . The Australian is competing in his final season in Formula One and still looking for his first win this year. He will look to end Vettels run of six straight race wins on Sunday. Webber, who is fifth in the championship, earned his second pole from the past three races and 13th of his career. Cheap Detroit Tigers Jerseys . Al Harrington, another former Knicks forward, scored 22 of his 24 points after halftime for the Nuggets, allowing them to withstand Anthonys attempt to rally the Knicks after his poor shooting had them behind until the final minutes of regulation. Anthony finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds, missing 20 of 30 shots in the Knicks sixth straight loss. http://www.cheaptigersjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-al-kaline-jersey . -- LaMarcus Aldridge returned to the Trail Blazers lineup, happy to know that things didnt go awry without him.With less than one week to go until the March 5 NHL trade deadline, TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger has the latest on Vancouvers Ryan Kesler, Buffalos Tyler Myers, and Ottawas Chris Phillips and offers some insight on their situations and potential trade status. We heard Ryan Kesler say on Thursday that theres nothing to the latest rumours that he has asked for a trade. So are we done with it, or is this a case where its "where theres smoke, theres fire?" Darren Dreger: There has to have been some level of dialogue between Ryan Kesler and the Vancouver Canucks, or the Canucks telling Kesler that they need to improve, they need to get younger, they need to add a bit more offensive punch. Theyre going to start sifting some names out there to rival teams and his name is going to be among them. Because heres what I know. I know that teams were contacted as far back as a month ago to say have a look at our roster. If there is a member of this organization that you want to take a run at then were listening, were open for business. And that includes Ryan Kesler. How realistic is it that he could be dealt by next Wednesdays deadline? Dreger: Its a complicated deal because Kesler is a valuable asset of the Vancouver Canucks. Hes got a contract that makes a lot of sense. Financially, he is sound. He is a bargain, frankly, as long as he playys up to his level of potential. Cheap Tigers Jerseys Authentic. But is it realistic? Yes, because of the interest that will be out there. There will be interest from so many different teams, and we know as I said earlier that the Canucks have reached out. But the Canucks need premium return to make this deal a reality and six days away from the trade deadline is not a lot of time to close on such a big deal. What are you hearing about two defencemen at opposite ends of their careers, 35-year-old Chris Phillips and 24-year-old Tyler Myers? Dreger: In terms of Phillips, theres a negotiation thats ongoing between the Ottawa Senators and Phillips to keep him a lifer in Ottawa. If that doesnt go well, if Phillips doesnt like the offer that has been presented, then Bryan Murray may have to make a very difficult decision. There would be interest in Chris Phillips, a veteran player, very sound defensively, maybe hes a good fit with the Boston Bruins. In terms of Myers, there is considerable interest according to sources close to the Buffalo Sabres. But GM Tim Murray isnt trying to push this guy out the door. Is he available? Is he interested in moving him? Yes he is. Were looking at Toronto as potentially a fit, as would be the Anaheim Ducks. And the Colorado Avalanche are definitely looking for a defenceman. So there will be options, but come ready to pay a premium. ' ' '