football is in the locker room. But to have to

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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. 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." . - Kevin Labanc and Joseph Blandisi were a potent combination for the Barrie Colts on Friday night. . -- Conner Bleackley got it done in regulation time and in the shootout. http://www.detroitredwingshockeypro.com ... ey-jersey/. Goins is the early favourite to win the starting job at second base. Pillar is an outsider to secure a role off the bench, which becomes an even more difficult spot to win if the number of back up jobs is reduced by one. That happens if the Blue Jays decide to start the season with an eight man bullpen. . His Chicago Blackhawks teammates werent shocked when he found it. Kanes career has been defined by his brilliance in the Blackhawks biggest moments, and his tiebreaking goal with 3:45 to play in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals will rank among the best. . Some will say that Martin is too sensitive while others will say that it is part of the way football is in the locker room. But to have to absorb what was said to him for any rational and intelligent person is too much.WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed Canadian offensive lineman Dominic Picard to a contract Tuesday shortly after he was released by the Saskatchewan Roughriders.The nine-year CFL veteran spent the last three seasons with the Roughriders. He started 17 of 18 games last season and was named the teams top offensive lineman.This is a player with great experience in the CFL, Blue Bombers general manager Kyle Walters said in a release. He is a tough, hard-nosed football player and we are excited to bring him into the Bombers organization.Picard, a 32-year-old native of Sainte-Foy, Que., has played in 137 career regular season games. He was originally drafted by the Blue Bombers in the thiird round of the 2006 CFL Draft and spent three seasons in Winnipeg before joining the Toronto Argonauts.dddddddddddde was an East Division all-star with the Argonauts in 2011.The Blue Bombers also re-signed defensive back Demond Washington on Tuesday. He was scheduled to become a free agent next month.Washington had 70 defensive tackles last season along with four special teams tackles, one fumble recovery and one touchdown. He also had nine kickoff returns for 396 yards, including a 96-yard runback for a TD in Week 2.The Roughriders, meanwhile, also released Canadian linebacker Tristan Black and re-signed Canadian receiver Alex Anthony and Canadian linebacker Ryan Wellman. ' ' '