(MCT) — NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In an effort to preserve Paul Konerko's freshness, manager Robin Ventura confirmed his 36-year-old cleanup hitter will fill the designated hitter role more often in 2013 with Adam Dunn making more starts at first base.

"I think that will probably happen," Ventura said Tuesday. "For Paulie, what goes through the course of the year is a lot. It's a lot to have him be the everyday first baseman. I think Adam proved he can play first base and give Paulie more time. And when you get to that age, not that he's done by any means, it's going to help him to have time off and not be on his feet so much."