Chicago Sports

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — White Sox starting pitcher Michael Kopech left the Monday’s game against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium with a sore left knee.

The Sox said Kopech is being further evaluated.

Kopech appeared to be in discomfort after taking his warmup pitches on the mound before the bottom of the first inning and then allowed the four batters he faced to reach base.

Sox trainer James Kruk, pitching coach Ethan Katz and manager Tony La Russa went to the mound after Kopech took his warmup tosses. Kopech then gave up a walk, hit a batter, allowed a single and walked another batter.

Kopech’s fastball velocity was down a couple of ticks in the low 90s.

Kruk, Katz and La Russa came out again and Kopech was pulled in favor of Jimmy Lambert, who gave up two singles and a walk before striking out Nicky Lopez and getting rookie Drew Waters to rap into an inning-ending double play. The Royals led 4-0 after one inning.

Kopech has been dealing with a sore knee this season since he left a start against the Rangers in the first inning on June 12.

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In the four years since leaving he went undrafted out of Ole Miss, linebacker DeMarquis Gates has been a member of the Browns (for three weeks), Commanders (for two months) and Vikings (for five months). He’s played for the Canadian Football League’s Saskatchewan Roughriders, the Alliance of American Football’s Memphis Express, the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks, The Spring League’s TSL Blues and, this spring, the USFL champion Birmingham Stallions. His all-USFL performance landed him a tryout on the Bears, who signed him earlier this month.

Gates knows how tenuous a pro football job can be– and what’s at stake in the next week. The Bears have to trim their roster from 85 players to 80 on Tuesday, and then, dramatically, from 80 to 53 exactly one week later, on Aug. 30.

“Unless you’re one of those top-notch players with a big contract, you always have that in the back of your mind … ” said Gates, who has eight tackles, and three for loss, in two preseason games. “You’re competing with yourself, to put your best out on the field. Of course you think about it.”

With major moves looming, here’s a look at the Bears’ roster — and predictions for who will make the team:

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks (2 keepers/3 on roster)

They’re keeping: Justin Fields, Trevor Siemian

They’re cutting: Nathan Peterman

So far in camp: Fields played about a quarter in the preseason opener and then only one drive five days later. Siemian has looked sharp leading the second unit, posting a passer rating of 102.8 and throwing three touchdowns and no interceptions. Peterman seems destined for a practice-squad spot.

The big question: It’s the franchise’s existential question: can Fields show the Bears that he’s worth building around while playing alongside one of the league’s worst rosters?

Running backs (6/7)

They’re keeping: David Montgomery, Khalil Herbert, Trestan Ebner, Darrynton Evans, FB Khari Blasingame, Demontre Tuggle

They’re cutting: FB Jake Bargas

So far in camp: Montgomery has yet to play in a game, and Herbert has looked sharp in his place. The speedy Ebner has been an impressive change-of-pace option in camp, rushing 15 times for 60 yards –including a 27-yarder — and catching a 12-yard touchdown pass in preseason play before hurting his ankle against the Seahawks.

The big question: Can the Bears use special teams snaps to justify keeping Evans, Tuggle and Ebner?

Wide receivers (6/12)

They’re keeping: Darnell Mooney, Byron Pringle, Equanimeous St. Brown, Velus Jones, N’Keal Harry, Tajae Sharpe

They’re cutting: Dazz Newsome, Nsimba Webster, Isaiah Coulter, Chris Finke, Kevin Shaa, Dante Pettis

So far in camp: It’s been ugly. Pringle (quad) hasn’t played in two-and-a-half weeks. Harry had ankle surgery and won’t return until at least October. Jones missed the first preseason game with an injury, and Sharpe missed the second. Newsome has had catching issues.

The big question: How many new receivers will the Bears add–via trade, waiver claims or free agency– after cut day? The over-under is 1 1/2 — their current unit just isn’t acceptable, and they’ll need to replace Harry’s roster spot after they move him to injured reserve..

Tight ends (4/5)

They’re keeping: Cole Kmet, James O’Shaughnessy, Ryan Griffin, Chase Allen

They’re cutting: TE/FB Jake Tonges

So far in camp: Kmet was impressive in his first preseason action Thursday. O’Shaughnessy will be his backup, while Griffin has yet to play in a preseason game. Allen’s stock climbed against the Seahawks when, one week after playing one special teams snap, he logged 24.

The big question: Are the Bears comfortable with their depth? Griffin is in Year 10 and O’Shaughnessy in Year 8; between the two of them, they’ve posted more than 320 receiving yards in a season only once.

Offensive line (9/16)

They’re keeping: LT Braxton Jones, LG Cody Whitehair, C Lucas Patrick, RG Teven Jenkins, RT Riley Reiff, T Larry Borom, C/G Sam Mustipher, G Michael Schofield, G Ja’Tyre Carter

They’re cutting: Zach Thomas, Lachavious Simmons, Dieter Eiselen, Jean Delance, Julien Davenport, Shon Coleman, Corey Dublin

So far in camp: The Bears signed Reiff and Schofield on the eve of camp. Patrick hurt his thumb on the second day of practice but could return by the opener. Jenkins went a week without practicing but has since been moved from tackle to guard. Borom is playing first-team right tackle, a bizarre development given that the Bears are paying Reiff up to $7 million in playing time bonuses.

The big question: Do the Bears believe in Jenkins, or are they showcasing him for a trade? If it’s the former, that’s a huge win for the Bears coaching staff — he’s 24 with a pedigree, and just a few weeks ago seemed like a lost cause.

DEFENSE

Defensive line (8/14)

They’re keeping: Robert Quinn, Justin Jones, Angelo Blackson, Trevis Gipson, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Mario Edwards, Khyiris Tonga, Dominique Robinson,

They’re cutting: Mike Pennel, Charles Snowden, LaCale London, Micah Dew-Treadway, Sam Kamara, Trevon Coley

So far in camp: Once Quinn reported on time and said he wanted to play for the Bears despite their rebuilding efforts, there was little else to be settled on the line. Coley leads the team with three sacks, but he’ll likely be on the outside looking in.

The big question: Will the Bears consider trading Quinn in the middle of the season? If so, they’ve got two months to develop a pass-rusher behind him. Robinson, a receiver-turned-edge-rusher, is an intriguing developmental project, but might not be ready for steady playing time.

Linebackers (5/7)

They’re keeping: Roquan Smith, Nicholas Morrow, Matthew Adams, Joe Thomas, Jack Sanborn

They’re cutting: Caleb Johnson, DeMarquis Gates

So far in camp: Smith “held in” for a contract extension, issued a trade demand, insulted his bosses, had business associates calling other teams in a violation of NFL rules, and eventually decided to return to practice to play out his deal. Beside that? Sanborn, a Lake Zurich native and all-conference player at Wisconsin, has played his way onto the roster as a special teamer.

The big question: Will the contract snub motivate Smith — or poison the Bears’ long-term relationship with their best player? The Bears can give him the franchise tag in 2023 and 2024.

Cornerbacks (5/11)

They’re keeping: Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Kindle Vildor, Thomas Graham, Duke Shelley

They’re cutting: Tavon Young, Lamar Jackson, BoPete Keyes, Jaylon Jones, Greg Stroman, Devontae Harris

So far in camp: Gordon has proven himself as the Bears’ starting slot cornerback, one of the most critical parts of Matt Eberflus’ defense. That leaves a starting outside spot open opposite Johnson –likely for Vildor. Time is running out for Graham, who has missed most of the preseason with a hamstring injury.

The big question: Can Gordon survive the rigors of the season? He missed time in the offseason program and six training camp practices with injuries. “I don’t think it’s going to be a problem,” he said.

Safeties (5/7)

They’re keeping: Eddie Jackson, Jaquan Brisker, DeAndre Houston-Carson, Dane Cruikshank, Elijah Hicks

They’re cutting: A.J. Thomas, Jon Alexander

So far in camp: Brisker was a preseason standout before hurting his right thumb in the exhibition opener and requiring surgery. He hopes to return by Sept. 11. Houston-Carson is filling in for him and has also played slot cornerback.

The big question: Can Jackson, who hasn’t intercepted a pass since 2019, return to the playmaking style that defined his first three seasons? With Brisker at strong safety, he should get plenty of chances to play centerfield.

SPECIAL TEAMS (3/3)

They’ll likely keep: 3

They’re keeping: K Cairo Santos, P Trenton Gill, LS Patrick Scales

So far in camp: Santos has made all four field goals and all four PATs and Gill looks worthy of the Bears’ draft selection.

The big question: Who’s kicks off? Gill has kicked off five times for 66.4 yards, and Santos six for 66.3.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — White Sox right-hander Johnny Cueto was named the American League Player of the Week for the period of Aug. 15-21, Major League Baseball announced Monday.

Cueto got wins in both of his starts, posting a 0.54 ERA across 16 2/3 innings. He struck out five while allowing 11 hits and two walks against the Astros and Guardians, coming within one out of a complete-game shutout Saturday in Cleveland.

Cueto did not allow a runner to advance beyond second base on Saturday at Cleveland.

Cueto is the first White Sox player to win a weekly honor since Jos? Abreu last May and the first pitcher since left-hander Carlos Rod?n after Rodon pitched a no-hitter in April 2021.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — White Sox starting pitcher Michael Kopech left the Monday’s game against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium with a sore left knee.

The Sox said Kopech is being further evaluated.

Kopech appeared to be in discomfort after taking his warmup pitches on the mound before the bottom of the first inning and then allowed the four batters he faced to reach base.

Sox trainer James Kruk, pitching coach Ethan Katz and manager Tony La Russa went to the mound after Kopech took his warmup tosses. Kopech then gave up a walk, hit a batter, allowed a single and walked another batter.

Kopech’s fastball velocity was down a couple of ticks in the low 90s.

Kruk, Katz and La Russa came out again and Kopech was pulled in favor of Jimmy Lambert, who gave up two singles and a walk before striking out Nicky Lopez and getting rookie Drew Waters to rap into an inning-ending double play. The Royals led 4-0 after one inning.

Kopech has been dealing with a sore knee this season since he left a start against the Rangers in the first inning on June 12.

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TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — An 18-year-old football player from Waukegan is one of the three Indiana State students who were killed in a weekend crash, officials said Monday.

Christian Eubanks and another freshman football player were among the three students who died in the crash early Sunday.

Two other football team members who were injured were out of intensive care but remained hospitalized in serious condition, the university said in a statement.

The single-vehicle crash happened around 1:30 a.m. Sunday when the vehicle went off a state highway and struck a tree in the small town of Riley, about 10 miles from the university’s Terre Haute campus. Vigo County Sheriff John Plasse said the vehicle was on fire when deputies arrived and that the driver and two passengers were pronounced dead at the scene.

The sheriff’s department didn’t say who was driving or release additional details about the circumstances of the crash.

Those killed were identified as Eubanks; Jayden Musili, 19, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Caleb VanHooser, 19, of Liberty Township, Ohio, in the northern Cincinnati suburbs.

Eubanks was a freshman linebacker who went to Warren Township High School, and VanHooser was a freshman defensive back who went to Lakota East. Musili was a sophomore who became an Indiana State student this year and wasn’t on the football team, the school said.

Those injured were Omarian Dixon, 20, of Lafayette, Indiana, a redshirt freshman running back; and John Moore, 19, of Wheaton, Illinois, a redshirt freshman linebacker.

University President Deborah J. Curtis called the crash a tragedy and said “the Sycamore family is mourning.”

Hundreds of students and others gathered Sunday evening outside the university’s football stadium for a vigil in honor of the crash victims.

“It is a terrible day for Indiana State football and a devastating loss for both the Eubanks and the VanHooser families,” football coach Curt Mallory said in a statement. “Both young men were quality individuals who were loved and respected by their teammates and this staff. To say they will be missed is an understatement.”

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NEW YORK — From the outside, last year’s WNBA free agency period appeared to come down to a month’s worth of breaking news moments. The Sky had one starter under contract, Candace Parker, making those moments all the more colossal.

Every piece of news that was delivered evoked a sigh of relief from fans.

Kahleah Copper’s core designation came first, followed by news that beloved center Stefanie Dolson had agreed to terms with the New York Liberty. Not long after, news broke that 2019 Finals MVP Emma Meesseman would be returning to the WNBA after a year away to sign a one-year deal with the Sky.

The biggest exhale from fans came when the Sky’s longest-tenured players, Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley announced together that they were going to run it back.

After securing his core, coach/GM James Wade followed it up by signing 32-year-old rookie Rebekah Gardner and trading for backup point guard Julie Allemand giving his team unprecedented depth in a league with a strict salary cap.

Those moments unfolded in quick instants, but it took years to ensure their reality. All of the work that went into the years that led to those moments is what earned Wade the WNBA’s Basketball Executive of the Year honor.

“The most important [pitch] for me was explaining to [our free agents] that we built this together,” Wade said. “We might as well see it through.”

When Wade signed with the Sky in 2018, the team had been to the playoffs four times since the franchise was founded in 2006 and said goodbye to two franchise players in Sylvia Folwes and Elena Delle Donne.

The team had a strong base of faithful fans, but the growth had stalled.

Wade’s impact was immediate. In his first year, he led the back to the playoffs for the first time in three years. The team’s 20-14 regular season record earned him coach of the year. After losing in the first round of the playoffs the following year, Wade went out and made history, signing arguably the biggest free agent in WNBA history — and certainly the Sky’s history — in Parker.

Wade is one of four coaches in the WNBA that serve in the dual role of coach and general manager. The Washington Mystics’ Mike Thibault, Minnesota Lynx’ Cheryl Reeve and Connecticut Sun’s Curt Miller all wear both hats.

To some, it might seem like a burden to pull double duty. Wade relishes it.

“If there’s anybody who is going to have my best interest in mind, it’s probably me,” Wade said. “I know exactly what I need to win.”

This year Wade led the Sky to its best finish in franchise history, tying the Las Vegas Aces with the best record (26-10) in the WNBA.

The panel of voters was comprised of one basketball executive from each team. Each executive submitted a ballot with a first-, second- and third-place vote. Wade won the award after being named on 11 ballots, followed by Atlanta Dream general manager and executive vice president of basketball operations Dan Padover (seven) and Thibault (six).

Five different executives have won the award since its inception in 2017. Miller was the inaugural winner, followed by former Dream President/GM Chris Sienko in 2018, Miller in 2019 and Padover won it back-to-back in 2020 and 2021.

When considering how he’ll celebrate this moment, Wade exhaled deeply.

“I don’t know,” Wade said. “I can only answer that at the end of the year.”

Wade said he has taken a moment to recognize the significance of winning this award, but celebrating will have to wait.

The team he constructed so well that it earned him this honor has a winner take all Game 3 they are preparing for. If all goes according to plan, Wade will have more to celebrate in September.

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Kyler Gordon missed the first preseason game with an injury but bounced back in a big way in coverage against the Seattle Seahawks.

The Bears need Kyler Gordon to show up in a big way this season as he will be lining up in the all-important nickel spot in Matt Eberflus’ defense.  So in his debut, Gordon needed to show up and show out to allay concerns about his missed practice time from the previous 10 days.  Gordon did just that in his Bears debut earning PFF rookie of the game honors.  

Rookie of the game: “Bears rookie CB Kyler Gordon proved to be up to the test when targeted Thursday night, as he was targeted twice, resulting in one reception for 12 yards. Gordon finished with a 90.0-plus coverage grade on first review. Additionally, Gordon played press coverage on four of his 11 snaps in coverage.”

Kyler Gordon may be the key to success in the Bears’ defense this season.  The secondary has solid talent, with veteran Jaylon Johnson shoring up the boundary corner spot, veteran Eddie Jackson being named as a possible bounce-back candidate for the Bears and rookie Jaquan Brisker already showing off explosive tackling skills at strong safety.

Kyler Gordon has the skills to lock down the best slot receivers in the league.  His foot work and tackling skills translate well to a chance to be one of the better players in the league at the position almost immediately.

If the Bears’ secondary is better than last year regardless of the pass rush up front, then the Bears have a chance at winning more games than losing.  Defense against the pass starts with the coverage in the secondary instead of the rush up front.  Kyler Gordon helping to lock up the slot receivers gives the Bears a better chance.

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Thanks to recruiting and transfer news, there never seems to be a shortage of offseason headlines in high school basketball.

But last week’s announcement that Jeremy Fears Jr. would be returning from La Lumiere in Indiana to Joliet to play his senior season with his younger brother Jeremiah was a big one.

The impact of Fears’ move back to Joliet West and the domino effect it has on high school basketball this upcoming season will be felt. Here are five examples.

1. Joliet West will elevate up the rankings

Even without Jeremy Fears Jr., Joliet West was bound to be a preseason top 25 team when the season tipped off in November. The return of sophomore star Jeremiah Fears, junior Justus McNair and senior Jayden Martin, along with the addition of 6-8 Hillcrest transfer Matt Moore, was enough.

But now with Jeremy Fears, a Michigan State commit and consensus top 50 prospect nationally, back in the mix? Joliet West is a bona fide preseason top 10 team in the state.

This is potentially the best team in Joliet in a quarter century. At that time Joliet Township put together a run in the mid-1990s that included three trips to state (1994, 1995 and 1998) in the old two-class system.

2. There is now a battle for the top spot in Class of 2023

Throughout the past year and heading into the season, Cameron Christie of Rolling Meadows was undoubtedly the City/Suburban Hoops Report’s top-ranked prospect in the Class of 2023.

Despite what others tried to conjure up, there was no debate — or competition — for the top spot when it came to Christie, the multi-dimensional 6-5 guard with length and smoothness. Now there is.

Like several recent players in Illinois — i.e. Braden Huff from Glenbard West last year — Christie, who chose Minnesota over a plethora of other high-major offers, is vastly underrated nationally. But Fears has already established a national ranking; he’s ranked No. 61 by Rivals and No. 39 by 247Sports.

A fun sidebar to the season will be watching these two future Big Ten players compete for the top spot all winter long.

3. The Southwest Prairie Conference became a whole lot more intriguing

There were few leagues overall that benefited more from transfers than the Southwest Prairie Conference, especially Joliet West with the addition of Fears and Moore.

Joliet West, Oswego East and West Aurora all figured to be among the top teams in the league — Joliet West in the SPC East and Oswego East and West Aurora in the SPC West.

This was going to be a sneaky good league this winter before the impact transfers arrived. Now it becomes one with a preseason top 10 team in Joliet West.

Plus, there is a much-improved West Aurora with the young tandem of junior Josh Pickett and sophomore Terrence Smith. Last year’s top team Oswego East, which finished last year with 33 wins, has a Division I recruit in 6-6 Mekhi Lowery, 6-6 sleeper Ryan Johnson and transfers Jehvion Starwood from Yorkville Christian and Bryce Shoto from Plainfield Central.

Add an up-and-coming team like Romeoville with the backcourt of Troy Cicero and Meyoh Swansey, and there should be some fun basketball to watch in the Suburban Prairie this winter.

4. Pontiac Holiday Tournament, shootouts add some sizzle

Marquee names headed to high-major programs are what fans love to see in holiday tournaments and, especially, the high-profile shootouts across the state. The addition of Fears is impactful for many during this 2022-23 season.

The annual trip to the Pontiac Holiday Tournament is always a plus and a built-in way of beefing up any schedule. Joliet West will again be part of the best holiday tournament the state offers in December. The likes of Simeon, Curie, Benet and others will be juiced to play a Fears-led Tigers.

But coach Jeremy Krieger was already doing all he could to load up his non-conference schedule any way he could — before he knew Jeremy Fears would be returning to his hometown.

Now with Fears in the backcourt, a big individual name has been added to the top shootouts Joliet West was already scheduled to play in. Fears and Joliet West will travel to Washington, Illinois, to start the season and face St. Rita in the opening week.

The Tigers will also face Rolling Meadows and Cameron Christie in the Steve Pappas Shootout at DePaul Prep in early January, followed by a big showdown with Public League power Young in the annual When Sides Collide Shootout later that month.

5. The state tournament road just became tougher for a few teams

If the IHSA keeps the road to Champaign the same as last year, the sectional in the southwest suburbs that feeds into the ISU Super now has a team to beat.

On paper, Joliet West is that team and has a shot to return to the State Finals for the first time since Joliet Township reached Peoria in 1998.

Bolingbrook took advantage of an Oswego Sectional last year that wasn’t exactly loaded or deep. That sectional title led the Raiders to a super-sectional win over Quincy en route to winning a fourth-place state trophy in Class 4A.

Bolingbrook and Joliet West have a postseason history. The two battled in 2017 in a massive sectional championship showdown, where top-seed Bolingbrook beat No. 2 seed Joliet West in come-from-behind fashion. Bolingbrook went on to finish third in the state.

Joliet West and Bolingbrook, along with the aforementioned SPC teams, Oswego East, West Aurora and Romeoville, figure to be the other top challengers if sectional assignments remain the same as a year ago.

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A man with a concealed carry license shot and wounded an armed carjacker during an exchange of gunfire in North Austin on the West Side early Monday.

The man was in his car in the 5500 block of West Crystal Street when the carjacker fired at him around 1:25 a.m., Chicago police said.

The man returned fire and hit the carjacker in the chest, police said. He was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in critical condition. His gun was recovered at the scene.

The man with the CCL was not injured.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Having seen benefits of melding top prospects, instructors and coordinators together at their alternate training site in 2020, the White Sox are building off the experience with “Project Birmingham,” an innovative endeavor that will see most of their top prospects from Class A play at Double-A Birmingham for the remaining four weeks of the season.

“Having a pool of our top players with our top staff, with each other on a daily basis, bringing that to life during a minor league season,” Sox player development boss Chris Getz said. “The idea is to get a pool of our top minor league players to our Double A affiliate in Birmingham starting Tuesday to take that to the end of the year [Sept. 18].”

That means top Sox prospects such as Colson Montgomery, Bryan Ramos, Wes Kath, Luis Miesses, Jared Kelly, Norge Vera, Andrew Dalquist, DJ Gladney, Cristian Mena, Wilfred Veras, Kohl Sims and Adam Hackenberg will be promoted for the final month of the season.

Getz views this as something of an advanced instructional league. The team at Triple-A Charlotte will stay intact.

The Sox farm system entered the season near or at the bottom of most rankings with no top 100 players. But having Montgomery, a shortstop and the Sox’ first-round pick a year ago, elevated to 38th by Baseball America, is a needed shot in the arm. Cuban outfielder Oscar Colas, who is already at Birmingham and having a big season, is 99th on Baseball America’s list.

“We’re really proud of some of some of the accomplishments we’ve made on the player development side,” Getz said.

Montgomery has been “excellent.” Getz said.

“Whether it be spring training, to the beginning of the year in Kannapolis, the way he’s controlled his at-bats, both against lefties and righties, making good decisions at the plate, using the whole field, he’s been hitting for power, and he’s been solid defensively,” Getz said.

“For a kid that split a lot of his time with basketball, you don’t quite know how it’s going to take when he’s fully committed to baseball. But he’s proven when he puts his energy toward one thing that he’s a player that’s going to benefit from that. And he’s been as consistent as anyone in the minor leagues. We’re excited to have him, and he obviously has a bright future.”

Between Low-A Kannapolis and High-A Winston-Salem this season, Montgomery is batting .295/.408/.450 with nine home runs and an .858 OPS. He made headlines with an on-base streak of 50 games earlier in the season but of late but was batting .200/.327/.375 over his last 50 plate appearances.

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