KANSAS CITY, Mo. (MCT) — Paul Konerko admitted Thursday night that his body welcomed a break, but manager Robin Ventura was more direct in saying that his first baseman was sitting because of lower back discomfort.

“I don’t know if it’s real bad, but it’s enough that he needs a day and (we’ll have to) mix (the lineup) up,” Ventura said. “Once he’s out of there, it changes the way everything flows. We got Dewayne Wise batting near the top (second).”

Ventura said Konerko has been coping with infrequent discomfort but admitted the pain has been more persistent lately.