White Sox activate 1B Konerko from DL

(AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) All-Star first baseman Paul Konerko returned to Chicago's lineup on Friday night when the White Sox opened a weekend series at Kansas City.

Konerko was activated from the seven-day concussion disabled list and served as the designated hitter while batting cleanup for the opener against the Royals. He hit a solo shot in the fourth inning to give him 19 homers on the year.

"He seems normal," manager Robin Ventura said before the game. "He took BP and everything seemed normal. He's talking normal. He's not wincing or anything when he's walking around. Everything checked out."

The AL Central-leading White Sox also recalled left-hander Hector Santiago from Triple-A Charlotte. Infielder Orlando Hudson (bruised left foot) and left-hander Leyson Septimo (left biceps inflammation) were placed on the 15-day DL.

Konerko was hurt when he was struck by a Jarrod Dyson elbow while covering first base on Aug. 7 against the Royals. Ventura said he would return to first base sometime during the series at Kansas City.

Royals manager Ned Yost said Konerko's return transforms the White Sox lineup.

"It changes it quite a bit because he's one of the best hitters in the American League," Yost said. "He's a guy that has been a perennial All-Star for them and a serious run producer. He's one of the toughest outs in the league."

Hudson fouled a ball off his foot on Wednesday. He is batting .182 in 36 games.

Updated August 17, 2012