Cubs manager David Ross was asked to respond to Andrew McCutchen’s comments after the Brewers designated hitter was hit in the hip/backside by Keegan Thompson, sparking Saturday’s spirited gathering between home plate and first base.

To sum it up, McCutchen would have rather been hit on the first pitch rather than on a 2-1 count.

“Nobody likes to get hit,” Ross said. “Whether you did it on the first pitch or the last pitch, I don’t know that it ever feels good or anybody’s happy with it.”

Once again, Ross denied that Thompson hit McCutchen intentionally.

“That kind of disarmed a lot of things when you go slider first pitch and get a strike,” Ross said. “That was my argument to the umpires. He had a strike on the guy. Everybody’s working on stuff. A two-seamer hit him in the [hip/backside]. If you’re going to get hit it’s better than square in the back like Willson [Contreras]or in the kneecap like Ian [Happ] or up and in like [Nick] Madrigal.”

Happ, however, was held out of Sunday’s starting lineup after getting dinged on the left kneecap Saturday by the Brewers’ Trevor Gott. Ross said Happ could’ve started but thought it made sense to rest him, especially with Monday’s off day.

The Cubs hope the break won’t disrupt Happ, who is hitting .327 since Sept. 18 of last season.

“When he’s locked in, he’s one of the better at-bats in the league,” Ross said. “He’ll walk, he’s got power. He hits to all fields. He’s a pretty spectacular player. He gets out of rhythm at times – as we all do – and I think he’s on a mission to be as consistent as possible this year.”

Contreras sits
Yan Gomes started in place of Contrerasbehind the plate for Marcus Stroman’s Cubs debut.

“We’ve got 28 guys on the roster [and] we’ve got to get everybody some playing time,” Ross said. “If you guys want a story about personal catchers, there’s not one yet.”

Gomes gives the Cubs a luxury they didn’t have last year: a reliable second option behind Contreras. Gomes, 34, was signed to a two-year deal with a club option for 2024, and Sunday was his 883rd career game. Last season with the Nationals and Athletics, Gomes hit 14 home runs and limited opponents to a 69.4-percent stolen-base rate.

“We’ve got to get Yan some playing time, got to get some of these other guys in there, keep them fresh,” Ross said. “I always hated starting the season as a bench player and sitting for a week or two and you’ve just gotten consistent at-bats. I think their performance will be a little bit better if you can get everybody in the mix as soon as possible.”

Homegrown shutout
Saturday’s 9-0 win marked the third time since 2011 that the Cubs have recorded a shutout using only homegrown pitchers. Justin Steele (5 innings), Thompson(2 2/3), Scott Effross (1/3) and big-league debutant Ethan Roberts (1) were all selected by the Cubs in the amateur draft.

Making progress
Righty Alec Mills (low back strain) was scheduled to throw a sim game Sunday in Arizona. Lefty Wade Miley (left elbow inflammation) was expected to play light catch.

Read More

Connor Murphy has missed 12 games so far with the concussion he suffered March 12 in Ottawa, and it’s unclear if he’ll return during the Hawks’ final 10 games.

But there is encouraging news: the Blackhawks defenseman is feeling much better.

“I’m feeling good,” Murphy told the Sun-Times recently. “I’m trending in the right direction and just following what the training staff has been giving me, which has been helpful so far.”

He has resumed skating on his own in recent weeks. On Saturday he made his first public on-ice appearance since the injury, taking a few laps at Fifth Third Arena before team practice.

“It has been really fun to be back at the rink,” he said. “I had to take some time away right away, and it has been nice to progress day after day. It helps your mental state a lot, coming in and being able to skate and see the guys and work out and get back on the right path.”

On just his second shift of the game March 12, Murphy skated down the wall to make a play on the puck, but it jumped over his stick. While he was turning to retrieve it, Senators forward Parker Kelly hit him squarely from behind, crushing Murphy’s head against the glass and briefly knocking him out.

Murphy himself doesn’t remember much about the incident, which he admits “is probably a good thing.” Kelly was given a major boarding penalty, and he was stretchered off after a few frightening minutes of uncertainty. He holds no hard feelings about it, though.

“I honestly feel more bad for family and friends and people having to watch that,” he said. “Any time a stretcher comes out, it’s a scary thing to see. I sometimes chalk up some of the injuries to part of the game. The game is so fast, things are going to happen that put you in positions you don’t want to be in.”

He received a “bunch of nice texts” from Kelly and other Senators over the following days.

“It seemed like they were a bit shocked and rattled from it,” he said. “When I watched the replay, the puck jumped over my stick and I turned last-second. So I understand what that’s like, closing on a guy and making the decision to hit him not realizing how vulnerable he could be at the last second.”

The Hawks rallied that night to “win this one for ‘Murph,'” as Caleb Jones later said, but entering Sunday had won just two games since.

Caleb Jones and Erik Gustafsson have received more top-four opportunities in Murphy’s stead, but his absence has certainly been felt, as the Hawks have struggled mightily with their defensive coverage since he went down.

In fact, in games in which Murphy has played this season, the Hawks have allowed 2.62 expected goals against per 60 even-strength minutes. In games in which Murphy hasn’t played, the Hawks have allowed 3.22 expected goals per 60, including 3.44 expected goals during this ongoing stretch.

Unsurprisingly, Murphy also leads all Hawks defensemen in expected goals allowed per 60 even-strength minutes during his individual ice time this season at 2.49. Calvin de Haan is second at 2.53 followed by Caleb Jones at 2.67, Gustafsson at 2.81, Jake McCabe at 2.84, Seth Jones at 2.92 and Riley Stillman last at 2.93.

The Hawks’ medical and coaching staffs have discussed the possibility of ruling Murphy out for the season, interim coach Derek King said recently. With so little meaning attached to these final games, that would seemingly make sense from a health-and-safety standpoint. But a final decision hasn’t yet been made.

Read More

DETROIT — Manager Tony La Russa felt good about having Tim Anderson back.

“Happiness,” La Russa said. “In all capital letters.”

La Russa has raved about Anderson’s ability, leadership and energy since getting acquainted with him last season. On the day Anderson played his first game of the season after sitting out the first two serving a suspension, La Russa called Anderson “the most lit up, energized player I’ve ever watched.”

La Russa has

“Every day, from the minute he walks into that locker room, he’s got life and commitment and it’s ‘Let’s go, let’s go.’ Every practice and every game.

“He’s our igniter.”

A couple hours later, La Russa watched Anderson hit the first pitch he’d faced since spring training into the left field corner for a double, off Tigers lefty Tarik Skubal. He went to third on Luis Robert’s line single and scored on Jose Abreu’s groundout. Robert scored on Eloy Jimenez’ foul sacrifice fly.

The Sox went 1-1 without their shortstop, leadoff man and sparkplug Anderson, who entered Sunday’s game batting .439/.474/.692 with six homers and 20 RBI in last 25 games against the Tigers. Anderson’s production is first and foremost in terms of his value, but the intangibles are notable as well.

“You see his antics and his energy level and it’s infectious,” La Russa said. “And it’s all real. He’s not putting on a show and then he disappears. He wants it. He wants to win.”

Anderson was suspended and and fined for bumping umpire Tim Timmons late last season in a bench clearing incident at Comerica Park, punishment La Russa said was “unfair.”

10 years for Harrison

Coach Jerry Narron made an extra lineup card for infielder Josh Harrison to have as a keepsake. It’s Harrison’s 10-year anniversary in the majors.

“It ain’t kinda cool, it’s definitely cool,” said Harrison, in his first year with the Sox. “Words can’t really describe. To get to 10, it’s a testament to longevity and doing what you need to do. I’ve been blessed. It’s one thing to make it to the big leagues, it’s another thing to stay.”

Harrison, 34, began his career in 2011 with the Pirates. He has also played with the Tigers, Nationals and Athletics. An All-Star with the Pirates in 2014 and ’17, Harrison battled injuries in a stretch of five straight years but had his career high for plate appearances (558) last season.

Rotation issues

Lucas Giolito (abdominal strain) has not landed on the injured list yet but might when the Sox open their first homestand Tuesday. Vince Velasquez starts the home opener and Dallas Keuchel goes Wednesday. Thursday is TBA.

“Everybody’s an option,” pitching coach Ethan Katz said. “We’ve got some guys that are not here as possible options, guys that are in the clubhouse as options. We’re just going to have to be creative and try to weather this storm and find matchups that best suit the other team’s lineup and kind of work off of that.”

Reynaldo Lopez is not for now. At least until reliever Joe Kelly is ready to pitch, he’s wanted in the bullpen. Tanner Banks could be, but he might be needed in relief.

There’s Johnny

Ethan Katz knows Johnny Cueto well from when both were with the Giants. Cueto, signed to a $4.2 million minor league contract, needs to build up innings at Triple-A Charlotte first.

Being in shape will not bean issue, Katz said.

“When he’s ready he’ll be banging on the door and we’re going to be banging on the door at Triple-A to know when he’s ready,” Katz said.

Read More

A man was found dead in an apartment during a fire Sunday morning on the Near West Side.

The man, 49, was found inside the apartment in the 2700 block of West Wilcox Street about 1:05 a.m., Chicago police said.

He was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.

About 15 minutes later, two Chicago police officers were hospitalized and a woman was critically injured Sunday morning in another fire about 14 miles southeast in South Chicago on the Far South Side.

Officers responded to the fire inside a house in the 3000 block of East 79th Place about 1:20 a.m. and found a woman unresponsive, police said.

She was carried outside by officers, where they began chest compression, police said.

She was taken to Trinity Hospital, where she was in critical condition, officials said.

Two responding officers were taken to a local hospital for smoke inhalation, police said. Both were in good condition, authorities said.

No other injuries were reported.

Fire officials extinguished both fires and were investigating the incidents.

Read More

Demar DeRozan’s first season with the Chicago Bulls has been nothing short of incredible and that continued on Thursday night as the All-Star dropped a season high 50 points in Chicago’s 135-130 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

On top of the season’s best performance from a Bull, the 32-year old also set plenty of other marks including a feat not seen since Michael Jordan donned the red and white.

It’s rarified air when you’re mentioned among two league MVPs and it comes at a time the Bulls desperately needed to put up a W. It’s Chicago’s second consecutive victory and moves them to 45-32 on the year with just five games to play. The Bulls sit alone in 5th place in the East, breaking the tie with the Raptors who sit half a game back at 44-32.

On top of the 50 points, DeRozan also recorded six assists, five rebounds and was 14-of-15 from the free throw line. Here’s some highlights from night’s big win:

On top of the stellar performance from DeRozan, forward Patrick Williams put up a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Chicago faces off with the Eastern Conference leading Miami Heat on Saturday night as they go for three straight wins.

Make sure to check out our Bulls forum for the latest on the team.

Read More

While the Chicago Bears might not admit it, the franchise is going through a rebuild here in 2022 and this upcoming season could be a tough one. However, with a rebuild and the focus on contending in 2023, the coaching staff will get the chance to look at players on the roster and determine their status for the future.

One player that could benefit from a total change here in Chicago is safety Eddie Jackson.

After a big year in 2018 and then landing a big extension, Jackson hasn’t been able to duplicate what he did in that season. However, it doesn’t mean his career here is coming to an end and new head coach Matt Eberflus says that Jackson has a ‘clean slate’ for this 2022 season:

“I think he’s got really good instincts,” Eberflus said, according to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin. “You look at the positive, what he can do, and he’s taking the ball away. He’s really proficient at blitzing. I think he times it up well, does a good job there, does a good job in coverage, so we’ll see where it is.”

Jackson wasn’t awful by any means in 2021 and it was actually one of his better years in some areas of his game. The problem is, fans are expecting that 2018 Jackson every single year and rightfully so with that contract he signed.

We even saw Jackson line up in the nickel towards the end of the 2021 season in Sean Desai’s defense, something he never did as a pro up until that point. I imagine he will be the starting safety going into this year with the other safety spot still to be determined.

The hope is that Jackson can bounce back and use this as a clean slate, playing well and going back to being that ball hawking safety he once was.

Make sure to check out our Bears forum for the latest on the team.

Read More

On a day with plenty of fake rumors circulating, the Chicago White Sox made a big move to address their hole at right field.

Per MLB reporter Mark Feinsand, the Chicago White Sox are acquiring A.J. Pollock from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for reliever Craig Kimbrel. The move comes just a few days before Opening Day:

The 34-year-old Pollock now fills a need at right field for the White Sox, something they have been seeking this offseason now. For the Dodgers, they wouldn’t name a closer during Spring Training but have their guy in Kimbrel.

The White Sox acquired Kimbrel at the 2021 MLB Trade Deadline from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Nick Madrigal.

Make sure to check out our WHITE SOX forum for the latest on the team.

Read More

Just last week, Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Lucas Giolito expressed his frustration with the team to reporters during spring training.  Giolito is frustrated over going to arbitration with the White Sox and wanted something done.

“It is very disheartening and frustrating,” Giolito said via 670 The Score.  “I love this team and before the filing to come down to a $50K difference, it’s like, ‘Come on.’ It’s just an upsetting part of the process.”  Giolito certainly has a right to be upset about such a small amount being the reason both parties were destined to an arbitration hearing.

After last weeks reports that the White Sox and their ace Lucas Giolito failed to come to an agreement to avoid arbitration, it seemed like an arbitration hearing was inevitable for Giolito.  It was reported widely that the difference was a mere 50k between the White Sox and Giolito.  Fortunately, both sides have now come to an agreement on a 7.45 million dollar, one year deal.

This is a good step forward between both parties to hopefully work out a longer term deal in the near future.  That would be one of the next key moves for the White Sox to make is to lock up their ace to a multi year contract while they are still in their championship window.  Whether or not they sign Giolito to an extension remains to be seen, we all saw what happened with Carlos Rodon this off-season.

With Giolito coming to an agreement with the team, all White Sox players that were eligible for arbitration, have avoided going to arbitration hearings.

Although the opening starter has not yet been officially announced, it is presumed that Lucas Giolito will get the ball for the first game of the season in Detroit, April 8th.

In other news, Garrett Crochet left a spring training game early with the trainer, and their are rumblings that it may be a serious injury that will sideline the hard throwing lefty.  The Sox are fairly thin when it comes to left handed relievers, so a move may have to be made to compensate the loss of Crochet if he’s out a long duration of time.

As opening day approaches, the White Sox also optioned players Jake Burger, Zach Collins, Jimmy Lambert, Matt Foster, and newly acquired outfielder Adam Haseley to AAA Charlotte.  It would seem that catcher Seby Zavala may be winning out the competition for backup catcher this year.

Once official rosters are announced for the season, we will know more.

Make sure to check out our WHITE SOX forum for the latest on the team.

Read More