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When Rick Dawson decided his Kentucky Derby winner, Rich Strike, would skip the Preakness, he reignited a decades-old debate about the spacing of the Triple Crown series, which many horsemen and racing analysts see as out of step with modern practices.Dawson and trainer Eric Reed have said that if they had a month to prepare for the second jewel of the Triple Crown instead of the traditional two weeks, Rich Strike would be on his way to Baltimore. Instead, they opted to give him five weeks to rest for the Belmont Stakes.AdvertisementWith a 94-word statement, Dawson eliminated the possibility for a Triple Crown winner in 2022.Healthy Derby winners typically don’t bypass the Preakness. It had not happened since 1985, when Spend a Buck eschewed the race in favor of the greater riches available on the New Jersey racing circuit of that era.AdvertisementBut students of modern racing said it was only a matter of time until an owner and trainer decided that two weeks was not enough prep time for the Preakness.“Inevitable,” NBC racing analyst Randy Moss said, noting that most current trainers prefer to wait a month or more between races.Preakness contender Simplification is comforted by owner Tami Bobo as he is washed following a morning workout Tuesday. The 147th Preakness Stakes gets underway on Saturday. (Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun)Animal wellness advocates applauded Dawson and Reed’s decision.“Hopefully, this will prompt the racing industry to modernize the demanding Triple Crown schedule by extending the time between the three races to less-inhumane intervals of one month each,” said PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo.That would mean an early-June Preakness and a Belmont Stakes run closer to July 4. But with no overarching authority to mandate reform, such change is easier said than done, and plenty of people in the sport are reluctant to alter a tradition that has elevated some of the greatest champions in history, from Citation to Secretariat to American Pharoah.For the Triple Crown calendar to change, officials from 1/ST Racing, the forward-facing arm of The Stronach Group, which owns and operates Pimlico Race Course, and the New York Racing Association, which operates the Belmont Stakes, would have to agree on a new timeline.Preakness organizers have an incentive; the Preakness field suffers every year because trainers are reluctant to run their Kentucky Derby contenders on two weeks’ rest. But the allure is less obvious for New York racing officials, who annually welcome talented horses that have skipped a trip to Pimlico in favor of resting up for the Belmont Stakes.Though 1/ST Racing offered no formal comment on a possible calendar change, a representative said the company “is looking at this internally and intends to speak with our other Triple Crown partners once we are through Preakness 147.”AdvertisementKentucky Derby runner-up Epicenter a 6-5 morning-line favorite in nine-horse Preakness field; will break from No. 8 post https://t.co/ia5KJER5AU— Baltimore Sun Sports (@BaltSunSports) May 16, 2022

Dave O’Rourke, president and CEO of the New York Racing Association, nodded to tradition in his statement on the issue: “The Triple Crown galvanizes the attention of the sports world precisely because of its difficulty. To sweep the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes requires an extraordinarily talented horse to perform heroically at three different racetracks over a period of just five weeks.“This condensed schedule helps to sustain the excitement and enthusiasm that surrounds a Triple Crown quest and plays a role in the lasting success of each leg of the series. NYRA is always willing to engage in thoughtful conversation around issues that will impact the future of horse racing. Fundamental changes to the sport’s most successful and important institution, however, would demand careful and deliberate consideration among all relevant parties.”Debate around the schedule — three races in five weeks, starting with the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May — intensified during the 37-year gap between Affirmed’s Triple Crown in 1978 and American Pharoah’s Triple Crown in 2015. As the 1970s dominance of Affirmed, Seattle Slew and Secretariat faded deeper into the past, fans wondered if modern thoroughbreds were cut out for the test.Secretariat had raced 12 times — four of those on two weeks’ rest or less — before he reached the Triple Crown series in 1973. Affirmed had raced 13 times — five of those on two weeks’ rest or less — before he entered the starting gate for the 1978 Kentucky Derby.Preakness contender Skippylongstocking is led to the Pimlico Race Course track early Tuesday for a workout in preparation for Saturday’s Preakness Stakes. (Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun)Such early workloads are unheard of for today’s top 3-year-olds. (Rich Strike had raced seven times, usually on at least a month’s rest, going into the Derby.) Thus, many see the Triple Crown schedule as a relic from a bygone era.In 2014, former Maryland Jockey Club president Tom Chuckas tried, unsuccessfully, to force discussion of a new calendar.Advertisement“I respect tradition,” he said at the time, “but I also think tradition cannot impede the growth or betterment of the industry.”American Pharoah and Justify put this conversation on hold when they won Triple Crowns in 2015 and 2018, respectively, proving supremely gifted horses still could pull it off.But Rich Strike’s withdrawal from the Preakness revived the same issues in a slightly different context, as Dawson and Reed said they would be uncomfortable rushing their Derby champion back to the starting gate two weeks after the greatest effort of his life.It’s a reservation other Derby-winning trainers such as Todd Pletcher have expressed in recent years, though they bowed to tradition and raced their horses in the Preakness anyway.Trainers who have participated in the Triple Crown series are as divided as fans and track operators on the merits of the traditional schedule.At age 86, D. Wayne Lukas has won the Kentucky Derby four times and the Preakness six times. Though he never minded bringing his Derby champions to Pimlico on two weeks’ rest — “Being old school, I think we can handle it” — he said the Preakness would benefit from a longer lead-up time.AdvertisementAt age 86, trainer D. Wayne Lukas has won the Kentucky Derby four times and the Preakness six times. Though he never minded bringing his Derby champions to Pimlico on two weeks’ rest — “Being old school, I think we can handle it” — he said the Preakness would benefit from a longer lead-up time. (Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun)“I think it would make for a better field here,” Lukas said Tuesday morning, as he prepared his filly, Secret Oath, to run in this year’s Preakness. “More trainers would participate because the two-week turnaround limits some horses making it. You’d get more of the Derby horses in the field if you stretch it out to say, Memorial Day, and then maybe run the Belmont on the Fourth of July. I think it would work.”On the other side, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., who was born the year before Lukas won his first Kentucky Derby in 1988, said he’d prefer to see the schedule remain the same.“The reason the Triple Crown is what it is, it’s not supposed to be easy,” Joseph said. “Are we going to lower the bar to make it easier for the horses? No. There’s a reason it’s that way, and it takes a special horse to do it.”If his Derby contender, White Abarrio, had run well in Kentucky (he finished 16th), Joseph said he would not have felt reluctant to take him on to the Preakness.Maryland-based trainer Graham Motion, who won the 2011 Derby with Animal Kingdom, also said “it would be a shame” if the Triple Crown calendar was extended.“It’s not meant to be easy,” Motion wrote on Twitter, adding that he was surprised how much energy Animal Kingdom had going into the Preakness 11 years ago.AdvertisementRegardless of such arguments for the old way, Moss, the NBC analyst, said the Preakness will continue to suffer as an event if the schedule remains the same. He hopes the New York Racing Association will take a long view and consider a change that might not immediately help the Belmont Stakes. Otherwise, he expects to see more cases akin to Rich Strike.“There’s no good reason other than an antiquated desire to cling to history,” Moss said. “Hopefully, this will spur Pimlico to be aggressive about changing the date of the Preakness and spur NYRA to go along with changing the date of the Belmont. Then, things like this could be just a historical blip on the radar.”147th Preakness StakesPimlico Race CourseSaturdayTV: Chs. 11, 4 (coverage begins at 4 p.m.)

Senior pitcher Anthony Johnson has a knack for getting out of jams for Batavia.It’s nothing new, really.Advertisement“I guess I’ve always done that,” Johnson said. “My freshman year, I would always load the bases in the first inning and somehow I would get out of it every time. “I guess it just puts the pressure on me to pitch well and then I pitch well.”AdvertisementBatavia’s Henry Saul (2) and Anthony Johnson (20) look to the dugout during a DuKane Conference game against St. Charles North in St. Charles on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)Johnson went to that well again Tuesday, and his experience in those tense situations came in handy during a 4-0 DuKane Conference win over St. Charles North.While Johnson and reliever Blake Sotir ended up allowing 15 runners, they stranded 14 and the Bulldogs also cut down the other one on the bases.That allowed Batavia (17-10-1, 14-7) to close out the series by taking two of three games from St. Charles North (17-12, 12-8).Kudos to the starter on the mound.“He seemed to be making the pitches at the right time,” Batavia coach Alex Beckmann said of Johnson. “He put himself in those spots and really executed when he needed to. “That was great to see from him. He kind of finds another level of focus when he needs to. He definitely showed that (Tuesday).”Batavia’s Austin Winslow (1) fields a ground ball against St. Charles North during a DuKane Conference game in St. Charles on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)The North Stars left the bases loaded in the second, fifth and sixth innings. Johnson recorded a strikeout to escape the second and induced a fly out to finish off the fifth for Batavia. Sotir got a pop out to end the sixth.Advertisement“I’m just excited to pitch,” Johnson said. “I like to go out there. I like to compete and help my team win as much as possible. I just go out there and pitch.”Johnson only hits the upper 70s with his fastball, but he finds a way to wiggle out of tough situations while working in tandem with catcher Henry Saul.“I like to mix up my pitches with curveballs and sliders,” Johnson said. “I developed a new two-seam (fastball) two weeks ago thanks to my pitching coach. “That helps a lot. My catcher being there, he’s great behind the plate. I love pitching to him.”Batavia’s Jackson Bland (26) applauds after reaching third base against St. Charles North during a DuKane Conference game in St. Charles on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)Johnson went 5 2/3 innings, allowing no runs on three hits and four walks. He struck out five.“This was the hardest I’ve seen him throw,” Beckmann said. “He’s not going to overpower many people, but he’s just a good baseball player. Advertisement“Good hitter, good pitcher, can play the field if we need him.”After taking a series from DuKane Conference champion St. Charles East, the North Stars took a step back in losing to Batavia. Clutch hitting was the main culprit, according to St. Charles North coach Todd Genke.“It was unfortunate,” Genke said. “You come out and your goal is to get guys on base. You try to execute and move those guys across the plate, and for whatever reason, it didn’t happen. “We’ve been having some issues with that. Guys are getting on base and we’re not getting that big hit. We don’t get shut out at home very often. It just happened.”Batavia scratched across runs in the first, second, fourth and sixth to support Johnson. AdvertisementBatavia’s Ryan Boe (21) gets greeted by teammates Jackson Bland (26), Henry Saul (2) and Connor Desmet (14) after scoring a run in the first inning against St. Charles North during a DuKane Conference game in St. Charles on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)Charlie Saul singled in his brother Henry in the first. Eric Newberry singled and scored on an error in the second. Henry Saul doubled in Newberry in the fourth.Alex Taylor singled in Austin Winslow in the sixth to cap the scoring.Johnson also made his case to be in the playoff rotation for the Bulldogs, who have a final nonconference tuneup Friday against Kaneland at Northwestern Medicine Field in Geneva.“We have some options,” Beckmann said. “We don’t really have one dominant guy. We have to think about that the next few days, what we want to do. “We have some starters for the playoffs, and Anthony is definitely one of them.”Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.

When the Chicago Cubs drafted Brandon Hughes in 2007, the 16th-round pick hoped one day to roam the outfield at Wrigley Field.He finally got to do that Tuesday during batting practice. Except Hughes’ first big-league call-up came as a pitcher and not an outfielder.AdvertisementThe 26-year-old left-hander converted to pitching in 2019 and quickly ascended through the Cubs farm system. His big-league dream came true amid a flurry of transactions.The Cubs put outfielder Jason Heyward on the injured list without a distinction, an indicator it’s COVID-19-related. Left-hander Conner Menez was optioned to Triple-A Iowa, infielder/outfielder Christopher Morel got called up from Double-A Tennessee and Hughes’ contract was selected from Iowa.Advertisement“He throws a lot of strikes and there’s a lot of deception,” vice president of player development Jared Banner said of Hughes. “Guys just don’t take comfortable swings. So I don’t know whether it’s natural or something specific that he’s learned along the way, but he’s had a tremendous amount of success.”[ [Don’t miss] Willson Contreras’ 1st-inning grand slam — his 100th career home run — sparks the Cubs’ 9-0 win ]Hughes has not allowed a run in 16⅔ innings with 22 strikeouts and three walks between Double A and Triple A this year. He expected family, including his parents, and friends to be at Tuesday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.“It’s cool to see the guys that I came up with in the system get opportunities, throw in the games and have success,” Hughes said. “And that takes the nerves off of me a little bit knowing that others have come in and done the job. So I’m ready to do my job.”Morel’s 40-man roster status and defensive flexibility — he has played everywhere except catcher and first base — made him an attractive option while Heyward is sidelined. Morel had a .306/.380/.565 slash line in Double A.[ [Don’t miss] Andrelton Simmons’ return provides the Cubs a timely boost with shortstop Nico Hoerner on the injured list ]“He’s a really energetic, infectious player,” Banner said. “He can play all over the field, and that makes him really valuable. He can run, he can hit with power — he can do so many things on the field that this is a great opportunity for him.”Morel, 22, received the news Monday night from Double-A manager Mike Ryan. His first phone call to share the news went to his parents.“I never thought they were going to call me and make my dream here,” Morel said. “I feel confident with myself. I’m working hard, I’m having fun again. That’s why I’m here.”

CHICAGO — The Orlando Magic won the NBA draft lottery Tuesday night and landed the No. 1 pick for the first time since they got Dwight Howard in 2004.It’s the fourth time lottery luck struck for the Magic, who won in back-to-back years in 1992 and 1993, taking Shaquille O’Neal and then trading the rights to Chris Webber for Penny Hardaway.AdvertisementThe Magic finished with the worst record in the Eastern Conference at 22-60 and missed the playoffs for the eighth time in 10 years. But they got a huge win in the lottery, which they had a 14% chance of winning.Duke’s Paolo Banchero, Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren, Purdue’s Jaden Ivey and Auburn’s Jabari Smith are considered the most likely candidates to be taken first. The draft is June 23 in New York.AdvertisementThe Oklahoma City Thunder got the second pick, followed by the Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings.The Detroit Pistons pick fifth, with the Indiana Pacers, Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans and Washington Wizards rounding out the top 10. The rest of the lottery results had the New York Knicks, the Thunder, the Charlotte Hornets and the Cleveland Cavaliers.The lottery, with 14 ping-pong balls numbered 1 through 14 placed into a hopper, sets the first four picks. The remainder of the non-playoff teams go in reverse order of finish.The Rockets, Magic and Pistons had the best odds of winning the lottery at 14%. All three had young teams that finished at the bottom of the NBA.The Magic are committed to building through the draft after trading veterans Nikola Vučević and Aaron Gordon in March 2021 for first-round draft picks in 2023 and 2025. But this past season they were missing two of the young players they are trying to build around with Jonathan Issac and Markelle Fultz recovering from knee injuries.The Pelicans might be one of the biggest winners as the lone playoff team with a lottery pick. They got it in the 2019 trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers.With the Lakers struggling to a 33-49 record, eighth-worst in the NBA, that put the Pelicans in position to cash in. They needed the pick to fall in the top 10 in order to keep it, and there was a 99.6% chance of that.Now they’re in position to add a lottery pick to go with All-Star Brandon Ingram.AdvertisementBanchero, Holmgren and Smith decided to turn pro after one college season, while Ivey spent two years at Purdue.The 6-foot-10, 250-pound Banchero was viewed as a likely one-and-done player before he arrived at Duke from Seattle as part of a talented recruited class. He lived up to it, helping the Blue Devils reach now-retired coach Mike Krzyzewski’s record 13th Final Four before losing to archrival North Carolina.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Dylan Cease had to deal with traffic in every inning of Tuesday’s start against the Kansas City Royals.The Chicago White Sox right-hander made the big pitches each time.AdvertisementCease allowed seven hits and struck out nine in 5⅔ innings, leading the Sox to a 3-0 victory in Game 1 of a doubleheader at Kauffman Stadium.“(The Royals) did a really good job of getting on,” Cease said. “There was a lot of traffic today, but fortunately I executed pitches with guys in scoring position pretty well and got some big strikeouts.”AdvertisementCease surrendered a season-high six runs in four innings in his last start Thursday against the New York Yankees. He bounced back, combining with four relievers for the shutout.“He gave us all that he had,” Sox manager Tony La Russa said. “He got into the sixth with two outs and that’s outstanding.”Cease faced challenges from the start, as Royals leadoff batter Whit Merrifield doubled in the first. He moved to third with one out, but Cease struck out Salvador Perez and Ryan O’Hearn to end the inning.The Royals had runners on second and third with one out in the third. Cease again struck out Perez and O’Hearn.“I have enough experience now to where I know when I’m doing too much and not enough,” Cease said. “It’s just staying the course and trusting it.”[ [Don’t miss] Lucas Giolito expected to start Wednesday for the White Sox after returning from the COVID injured list ]The Royals came up empty again in the fourth when Hunter Dozier was thrown out at the plate trying to score from first on a single. The play at the plate wasn’t close.All three runs came in the fifth. Reese McGuire doubled and scored on AJ Pollock’s sacrifice fly to left. José Abreu made it 3-0 with a two-out, two-run double.Abreu went 2-for-3 with a walk.Advertisement“Looking more like himself, isn’t he?” La Russa said.Abreu fielded a grounder and beat O’Hearn to first for the third out of the fifth as the Royals stranded two more runners.Cease exited after striking out MJ Melendez for the second out of the sixth on his 94th pitch.“He worked hard,” La Russa said. “I didn’t want to push him there in the sixth. He gave us what he had. He worked out of some jams.”Bennett Sousa struck out pinch hitter Michael A. Taylor with a runner on second to end the sixth.[ [Don’t miss] Johnny Cueto pitches 6 scoreless innings in his White Sox debut ]Joe Kelly allowed a double and two walks to begin the seventh. Kelly bounced back, striking out pinch hitter Carlos Santana (Perez left with a left thumb sprain) and O’Hearn and getting Dozier to pop out to second.Advertisement“His command you can tell, he hasn’t been here,” La Russa said of Kelly, who was on the injured list April 4 to May 9 as he recovered from a right biceps nerve injury. “He’s got outstanding stuff. He’s a great competitor. He’s got great guts.“You see that pitch he made on Santana and O’Hearn. … He’s tough as nails. When he had to, he made pitches. It’s the sign of a champion.”White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson (7) and first baseman José Abreu (79) celebrate after the first game of a doubleheader Tuesday, May 17, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (Charlie Riedel/AP)The Royals went 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position and struck out 14 times.“The way that I was taught to look at it is what did they have to hit,” La Russa said. “We pitched Perez (1-for-3 with two strikeouts) like the Hall of Famer he is. There were very few mistakes in RBI situations.”Before the first game, the Sox selected the contract of pitcher Davis Martin from Triple-A Charlotte, added reliever Kyle Crick from Charlotte as the 27th player for the doubleheader, placed starting pitcher Michael Kopech on the paternity list and transferred reliever Garrett Crochet (season-ending Tommy John surgery) to the 60-day IL.Martin, 25, made his major-league debut as the Game 2 starter. He is 4-1 with a 2.50 ERA and 41 strikeouts in seven starts between Charlotte and Double-A Birmingham this year.AdvertisementHe allowed two runs or fewer in four of his five starts at Birmingham before being promoted to the Knights on May 5. He is 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA and eight strikeouts in two outings with Charlotte.

Since the day he joined the Chicago Bears a little more than two years ago, Jaylon Johnson has emphasized the biggest prerequisite for top-tier cornerbacks.“Have a short memory,” he said again Tuesday.AdvertisementSo perhaps it was apropos that when Johnson was asked about making notable individual growth during a 2021 season full of failure by the Bears defense, he couldn’t remember the pronounced struggles.“What made our pass defense not very good?” Johnson asked with genuine curiosity. “It’s easy to say we weren’t good. But I want to know the numbers.”AdvertisementWell, for starters, Bears opponents posted a 103.3 passer rating, the highest allowed by any NFL defense.Only the Washington Football Team and Indianapolis Colts allowed more touchdown passes than the 31 the Bears gave up.The Bears also finished in the bottom five in interceptions (eight) and yards allowed per pass attempt (7.6) despite allowing only 191.6 passing yards per game.[ [Don’t miss] The Bears are back at Halas Hall for OTAs. Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of their roster. ]So what was that experience like for Johnson, emerging as a reliable cover corner on a defense that had its issues?“I mean, I felt like I was struggling too,” he said. “At the end of the day, we’re all in this together. We just have to be on one page. I feel like a lot of things (last season) were more mental than physical.”Fair enough.Now its on to the future and into the latest phase of the Bears’ massive reboot, which is continuing with the first week of organized team activities in Lake Forest. Johnson took the practice field Tuesday with a lot of new faces around him. He has a new head coach in Matt Eberflus, a new defensive coordinator in Alan Williams and a new defensive backs coach in James Rowe.The Bears also used last month’s draft to make upgrades to their secondary, adding cornerback Kyler Gordon and safety Jaquan Brisker with second-round selections. Both rookies project to be Week 1 starters.AdvertisementJohnson is observant enough to realize there’s a whole lot of starting over again happening at Halas Hall — even for established veterans.[ [Don’t miss] Bears 2022 schedule: Here’s who they’ll play — and our predictions for each matchup ]“It’s a complete reset,” he said. “Everything I’ve done in the past with the other coaches, with the other staff, it really doesn’t mean anything.“I mean, the film is not going to lie to you. But at the end of the day, they want me to show them what I can do in person.”So what can Johnson teach the new coaching staff in the next month during OTAs and minicamp?“It just comes down to work ethic,” he said. “It’s just earning that respect as a hard worker and doing extra. I mean, right now it’s not too much about production. It’s really about knowing your assignment and playing hard.”Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson works out Tuesday, May 17, 2022, during organized team activities at Halas Hall. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)Johnson was impressive through large stretches of 2021, raising his hand to shadow the opponent’s top receiver when necessary and showing he’s more than capable of growing into an NFL standout. His interception total (one) through two seasons leaves something to be desired, but he earned respect throughout the locker room last year with his competitive edge, to-the-point voice and tone-setting approach to practices and games.AdvertisementOn multiple occasions, former Bears safety Tashaun Gipson endorsed Johnson as an emerging star with the potential to become a top-five cornerback in the league. But at least for now, Eberflus is challenging Johnson to prove himself every day.After saying Tuesday that Gordon has been “lighting it up” in practice this week, Eberflus called Johnson “a work in progress,” emphasizing that the third-year cornerback has plenty to work on.When pressed for specifics, Eberflus stressed the need to see Johnson play with his own eyes more frequently.“I want to see him in person,” Eberflus said. “I’ve got to have time on task. So I don’t really know how to answer that question right now. … I’ve got to see the guy cover. I’ve got to see how he takes his angles, how he plays the ball. I’ve got to see all those things before we’re going to start diving into the details of that and coaching him.”[ [Don’t miss] 7 questions for 7 positions as the Bears prepare for OTAs — the next step in the offseason program ]Johnson noted vast differences in the system Eberflus and Williams are installing from the ones he played in under coordinators Chuck Pagano and Sean Desai during his first two seasons. For starters, in the Bears’ new scheme, cornerbacks will have their eyes on the quarterback more often while asked to master the nuances of zone coverages.But after feeling a breakthrough in Year 2 with his comfort level and confidence, Johnson feels certain he can cross the necessary bridges quickly.Advertisement“I feel as confident as ever,” he said. “I don’t feel like there’s anything I can’t do.”He also acknowledged the enthusiasm he felt three weeks ago when the Bears used their top two draft picks to add to the secondary.“(I was) excited just to have some high-level guys come in and be able to contribute,” Johnson said. “They’re ballhawks. They’re ball hungry. That’s definitely a good thing, knowing they’re aggressive.”ExpandAutoplayImage 1 of 11 Meet the Chicago Bears’ 2022 NFL draft class. (Jae C. Hong/AP)To that last point, Johnson expressed a the-sooner-the-better attitude toward getting Gordon and Brisker on the field and locked in with the starters.“I’d throw ‘em in the fire if you’re asking me,” he said. “I mean, they’re our first two draft picks. I feel like we’ve got to see what they can do right now. And then we can know what the attitude and what the vibe is heading into camp.“If I was the coach, I wouldn’t ease them into it. I would throw them out there.”AdvertisementAs the Bears continue their transition, they need Johnson to play a prominent role and continue to push himself. That process must accelerate in May and into June so that Johnson can earn the coaching staff’s full trust before training camp.

Major League Baseball announced Tuesday that Orioles pitcher Matt Harvey has been suspended 60 games without pay for violating the league’s joint drug prevention and treatment program.The suspension, retroactive to April 29, is for “participating in the distribution of a prohibited drug of abuse,” which came to light during Harvey’s testimony in the February trial of former Los Angeles Angels employee Eric Kay for the death of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs.AdvertisementKay was found guilty of two felony counts and faces a minimum of 20 years in prison for distributing drugs to Skaggs, which led to the Angels pitcher’s overdose death in 2019. Sentencing is scheduled for June 28, according to ESPN.Matt Harvey’s 60-game suspension, retroactive to April 29, is for “participating in the distribution of a prohibited drug of abuse,” which came to light during Harvey’s testimony during the February trial of former Los Angeles Angels employee Eric Kay for the death of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Sun)Harvey, 33, was among the players who testified they received oxycodone pills from Kay while with the Angels, though Harvey also acknowledged that he had given oxycodone to Skaggs and used cocaine during his career.AdvertisementAt the trial, Harvey, who spent last season with Baltimore, said he believed his testimony would threaten his career.MLB said in February that it would conduct a review of the matter after the trial was completed, and it was reported a suspension was a possibility. In April, the Orioles signed Harvey to a minor league deal, with executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias acknowledging that Harvey was in a “very unique situation.”“Obviously, he’s in the situation he’s in right now because of off-the-field things,” Elias said last month. “But getting to know him last year, understanding his approach to what’s gone on, our point of view is that this was something that shouldn’t prevent him from having another chance with this organization, especially with the way he conducted himself last year.”A right-hander who started the 2013 All-Star Game and starred for the New York Mets before spending time with the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals and Angels, Harvey had a 6.27 ERA in 28 starts for the Orioles in 2021 after signing a minor league deal with them in spring training. Harvey had been pitching in extended spring training games in Florida.“We support all aspects of MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program and their ruling in this particular case,” Elias said in a statement Tuesday. “I am glad that Matt now has the opportunity to put this part of his past behind him and pursue another shot with our organization after serving his suspension.”Before the Orioles’ second game of their series against the New York Yankees, they shuffled their bullpen.Baltimore recalled right-hander Logan Gillaspie and selected left-hander Nick Vespi’s contract from Triple-A Norfolk. To create roster spots, the Orioles optioned infielder Rylan Bannon and designated left-hander Logan Allen for assignment.Gillaspie, 25, was added to the Orioles’ 40-man roster this offseason after signing with Baltimore in June. He began his professional career in independent leagues, playing catcher, first base and shortstop in addition to pitching, before signing with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2019. In nine outings between Double-A and Triple-A this year, Gillaspie had a 3.14 ERA.AdvertisementAlthough they chose to protect Gillaspie from being exposed in the Rule 5 draft, the Orioles didn’t secure Vespi, an 18th-round pick in 2015. But because of the league’s 99-day lockout, the Rule 5 draft was canceled and Vespi remained with the organization. He didn’t allow an earned run over 14 1/3 innings with Triple-A Norfolk, striking out 21 batters.“I’ve been working on this day since 2015, so I’m excited that it’s finally here,” Vespi said. “Right now, I’m still a little numb.”Orioles prospects Robert Neustrom and Nick Vespi are facing an uncertain future. It’s only fueled them. https://t.co/KFhEbJgyMS— Baltimore Sun Sports (@BaltSunSports) May 12, 2022

Added manager Brandon Hyde: “He’s pitching lights-out in Norfolk. … It’s nice to see somebody who’s gone down and really dominated a level and really earned his way here.”One of five players Baltimore received from the Los Angeles Dodgers in return for Manny Machado in 2018, Bannon, 26, went 2-for-14 in his first major league stint. Allen, 24, made three appearances for the Orioles after they claimed him on waivers from Cleveland about two weeks ago, allowing three runs in 1 2/3 innings.Left-hander John Means was in Baltimore on Tuesday for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery last month, stopping by the Orioles’ clubhouse and saying hello to teammates.First baseman Ryan Mountcastle (left wrist forearm strain) hopes to come off the 10-day injured list when first eligible this weekend.Outfielder Austin Hays was in the Orioles’ lineup for the first time since suffering severe cuts on his left hand when diving into first base Thursday. Shortstop Jorge Mateo, dealing with sore ribs after a collision with Detroit first baseman Spencer Torkelson on Sunday, won’t start until Wednesday at the earliest, Hyde said.Right-hander Dean Kremer (strained left oblique) will start Wednesday for Double-A Bowie to begin a rehab assignment. The Orioles hope to build him up to pitch multiple innings. “It’s going to take a while,” Hyde said.

Triton College’s women’s softball team celebrated its Region IV championship with its trophy Sunday in Freeport, Ill. With their latest title, the 49-7 Trojans booked a trip to the National Junior College Athletic Association national championships May 24 to 28 in Oxford, Alabama.Triton is riding on the strong right arm of pitcher and strikeout queen Alyssa Stramaglia. Stramaglia is 23-2 and pitched complete games on back-to-back days to clinch the regional title in Freeport.AdvertisementMelrose Park’s Stramaglia is an alum of Fenwick High School in Oak Park. Batterymate Lucy Goodwin of Oak Park, who has impressed with her clutch hitting, attended Oak Park-River Forest High School. Shortstop Celeste Boshold hails from Elmwood Park High School. And Northlake’s Breanne Deutscher sharpened her game at Leyden High School. Their coach is Christina Christopher.Triton College in River Grove is a two-year public community college that serves students from Oak Park, River Forest, Elmwood Park, River Grove, Franklin Park, Northlake, Norridge, Harwood Heights and other western suburbs in its district.

TULSA, Okla. — Tiger Woods is all about majors and legacy, a point he drove home Tuesday in a sharp rebuke of Phil Mickelson and his support of a Saudi-funded golf venture that led to Mickelson not defending his title at the PGA Championship.Even as Woods resumes a remarkable return from a car crash 15 months ago that nearly led to his right leg being amputated, the PGA Championship cannot escape the absence of Mickelson and speculation about who might sign up for Greg Norman’s new Saudi-backed golf series.AdvertisementWoods said he hasn’t tried to reach out to Mickelson since Mickelson’s self-imposed hiatus from golf three months ago, mainly because of their difference of opinion on how golf should be run.“I understand different viewpoints, but I believe in legacies,” Woods said. “I believe in major championships. I believe in big events, comparisons to historical figures of the past.Advertisement“There’s plenty of money out here. The tour is growing. But it’s just like any other sport — it’s like tennis — you have to go out there and earn it. You’ve got to go out there and play for it. We have opportunity to go ahead and do it. It’s just not guaranteed up front.”That was a reference to some of the Public Investment Fund money out of Saudi Arabia being offered to players to join Norman and his LIV Golf Investments. According to various reports out of Britain, some top players were being offered more than the $120 million Woods has made in career PGA Tour earnings.Mickelson showed his hand in two interviews published in February. He accused the PGA Tour of “obnoxious greed” while playing in Saudi Arabia, and more incendiary comments followed when Alan Shipnuck published an excerpt of his unauthorized biography on Mickelson.Mickelson said the Saudis were “scary mother-(expletives) to get involved with” and then dismissed the country’s human rights atrocities — such as the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi — by saying it was worth it to gain leverage to make changes on the PGA Tour.He also said he didn’t care if the Saudi league failed, as long as the PGA Tour made changes he wanted.Mickelson decided Friday he would not play at Southern Hills, missing out on a chance to be celebrated for his historic win last year at Kiawah Island when at age 50 he became golf’s oldest major champion.Phil Mickelson holds the Wanamaker Trophy after winning the PGA Championship on May 23, 2021, at the Ocean Course in Kiawah Island, S.C. (David J. Phillip/AP)He is the first PGA champion not to defend since Woods was recovering from knee surgery in 2008 and skipped the tournament at Oakland Hills.“It’s always disappointing when the defending champion is not here,” Woods said. “Phil has said some things that I think a lot of us who are committed to the tour and committed to the legacy of the tour have pushed back against, and he’s taken some personal time and we all understand that. Advertisement“But I think that some of his views on how the tour could be run, should be run, been a lot of disagreement there. He’s just taking his time and we all wish him the best when he comes back.”Woods, meanwhile, is back and more optimistic than he was a month ago at the Masters. He said those who are close to him were thrilled to see him walk all 72 holes at Augusta National, his first time walking while competing since the Feb. 23, 2021, accident in Los Angeles that shattered bones in his right leg and ankle.All he could think about the day after was a bad putting week that led to a 78-78 weekend.“I did not see it that way Monday,” he said. “I was a little ticked I didn’t putt well and felt like I was hitting it good enough and I wish I had the stamina.”He said the Monday after the Masters was a tough day of recovery, and then he went right back to work trying to gain strength and endurance.“It’s better than the last time I played a tournament, which is good,” Woods said.AdvertisementHe won the last PGA Championship at Southern Hills by two shots in 2007 for his 13th of 15 majors. He barely recognized the course after a restoration project that brought back a few meandering creeks and returned the edges of the putting surfaces so they funnel shots away from the green.Tiger Woods holds up the Wanamaker Trophy after winning the PGA Championship on Aug. 12, 2007, at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla. (Morry Gash/AP)The bigger challenge is the players he is trying to beat, who make up the strongest field of the majors. Woods is 46, and Mickelson showed a year ago that age is only a number. However, Mickelson had been playing a full schedule all along. Woods, with his injuries, would appear to be limited to the four majors this year at most.One help is the nature of the walk. Augusta National is among the toughest in golf. Southern Hills features a sharp drop from the first and 10th tees and a tough climb at the end of each nine. Otherwise, it’s a relatively gentle stroll.“Figured the first mountain you climbed was Everest,” Woods said of Augusta National. “That’s the steepest golf course you’re going to play and that was the first one you climbed. It’s going to get flatter and better.”He still struggles on certain days. He said it’s never as easy as it might look.“But I feel like I’m doing better,” he said. “I’m having more days which are better, more positive.”

Former Chicago Bears running back Tarik Cohen, now a free agent, apparently suffered an injury during a training session being live-streamed on his Instagram account.The hard-luck player, released in March by the Bears because of past injuries, grabbed the back of his leg after going down during the workout. The incident was seen on Instagram Live, with Cohen falling to the floor after backpedaling.AdvertisementCohen played three full seasons with the Bears but tore knee ligaments in Week 3 of the 2020 season. He missed the rest of that season and all of 2021 before the Bears released him.A fourth-round draft pick in 2017, Cohen had a strong rookie year as a running back and kick returner. He made the All-Pro team as a punt returner in 2018, when he led the NFL with 33 returns for 411 yards (12.5 average).