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The PGA Tour is denying releases to golfers who asked to play in the first of a series of Saudi-funded tournaments next month in England, a bold move by Commissioner Jay Monahan in trying to quash Greg Norman’s latest bid to start a lucrative rival league.The first LIV Golf Invitational is scheduled for June 9-11 at Centurion Golf Club outside of London, with a 48-man field competing for a $20 million purse over 54 holes. The winner gets $4 million — to date the richest prize in golf — and last place gets $120,000.AdvertisementThe tour informed the players who are seeking releases late Tuesday afternoon, then notified all players of the decision in a short memo, which was obtained by The Associated Press.“We have notified those who have applied that their request has been declined in accordance with the PGA Tour Tournament Regulations,” the memo said. “As such, Tour members are not authorized to participate in the Saudi Golf League’s London event under our regulations.Advertisement“As a membership organization, we believe this decision is in the best interest of the PGA Tour and its players.”While the names of players who have signed up have not been released, Phil Mickelson said through his agent he asked for a conflicting event release to the London event. Lee Westwood confirmed last week he asked the PGA Tour and European tour for a release.The Daily Telegraph reported that Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer and Ian Poulter also were among those who sought releases.Norman is the CEO of LIV Golf Investments, funded primarily by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. He told Sky Sport earlier Tuesday he would have six of the top 50 players in the world at the London event and 19 of the top 100.Now that Monahan has staked his position, it’s up to the players to decide if they still want to go and risk losing PGA Tour membership.“Sadly, the PGA Tour seems intent on denying professional golfers their right to play golf, unless it’s exclusively in a PGA Tour tournament,” Norman said in a statement, calling the decision “anti-golfer, anti-fan and anti-competitive.”He also said “no matter what obstacles the PGA Tour puts in our way, we will not be stopped” and will “continue to give players options.”When asked the tour’s next step, Monahan said, “I can tell you what we’re going to do — keep hosting the best events with the best players, with the world’s greatest fans and partners.”AdvertisementThe first LIV event, one week before the U.S. Open, is scheduled for the same week as the RBC Canadian Open, the fourth-oldest national open in golf. Norman won it twice.PGA Tour guidelines typically allow for players to get three releases to play in tournaments around the world.Monahan granted releases to about two dozen players for the Saudi International on Feb. 3-6 — the same week as the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am — with the caveat that players going to the event would be required to play Pebble Beach as many as two times over the next three years.But his decision Tuesday painted the LIV Golf Invitational in a different light as the first of eight such events with $20 million purses, along with a $5 million prize fund for a team component.Norman has postponed the league concept of 12 four-man teams for a few years after the top players said they were not interested.He has presented the LIV Golf Invitational series this year as separate tournaments in which players could compete as often as they liked.AdvertisementFive of the tournaments are scheduled for the United States, a direct challenge to the PGA Tour because its regulations do not allow for any releases for tournaments held in North America. The first is scheduled for July 1-3 near Portland, Oregon. Others are in suburban Chicago and suburban Boston, as well as two courses owned by former President Donald Trump in New Jersey and Miami.The U.S. events, particularly the Portland one, were seen as the first real test of the PGA Tour stating where its players could compete.Instead, Monahan fired the first shot in denying releases to London. The next step is whether players will challenge him by playing the LIV Golf Invitational anyway. Monahan has said that would lead to players being disbarred.The move was not entirely surprising. Monahan had said in late February that he told players the PGA Tour was moving on “and anyone on the fence needs to make a decision.”The tour denied the releases on the same day Norman announced an additional $2 billion investment to expand the LIV Golf series to 10 tournaments next year and a full season of 14 tournaments in 2024 and 2025. He said details of those additional tournaments would be disclosed later.“We have a long-term vision and we’re here to stay,” said Norman, who tried to start a World Golf Tour in 1994.AdvertisementThe latest effort suffered a big hit in February when the top 10 players in the world all said they were sticking with the PGA Tour. Rory McIlroy, a staunch opponent to the Saudi league, referred to it as a “pre-Champions tour,” noting that most of those interested were in the twilight of their careers.

SAN DIEGO — Injuries are piling up for the Chicago Cubs.The Cubs put second baseman Nick Madrigal (lower back tightness) and outfielder Michael Hermosillo (left quadriceps strain) on the 10-day injured list before Tuesday’s game against the San Diego Padres, and Seiya Suzuki (right ankle soreness) was scratched from the lineup about 75 minutes before first pitch.AdvertisementLeft-hander Wade Miley was activated from the IL to start Tuesday’s game in his Cubs debut, and infielder Ildemaro Vargas was selected from Triple-A Iowa. Right-hander Adrian Sampson, optioned Monday and still in San Diego on the taxi squad, was designated for assignment.The Cubs now have 12 players on the IL.AdvertisementMadrigal experienced tightness during Monday’s 6-0 win and didn’t bounce back well Tuesday, prompting the move. His time on the IL also could provide a mental break amid his struggles through the first month of the season. Madrigal has a .203 average, .250 on-base percentage and 43 OPS+ in 23 games.Hermosillo’s injury will require more than the minimum stint. He isn’t expected to resume baseball activities for a few weeks. Chicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.The quadriceps issue popped up a couple of days ago, but it initially didn’t bother him too much and he tried to play through it. However, the four-hour flight to San Diego on Sunday night caused swelling in the area, which prompted Hermosillo to get examined. It turned out to be a more serious injury than the Cubs thought.The injury is part of a tough start to the season for the 27-year-old Hermosillo. He is 2-for-28 (.071) with a .257 on-base percentage in 17 games, including nine starts.“It’s part of this game, trying to get out there consistently, find your rhythm in the at-bats,” manager David Ross said. “The good thing about this is, if we want to take a positive from a negative situation, just to reset mentally, get healthy, go back, get your timing in your rehab assignment — that usually kind of catapults guys forward a little bit — (and) get back up here ready to contribute.”Suzuki was initially in Tuesday’s lineup as the designated hitter after coming out of Monday’s game, but he was scratched because of lingering soreness. He was available off the bench.Suzuki left in the sixth inning Monday after awkwardly hitting first base when running out a double-play ball in the fifth. Yan Gomes replaced him as the DH on Tuesday.Suzuki tested his ankle with agility drills in the outfield 4½ hours before Tuesday’s game under the watch of Cubs training staff. Ross felt comfortable playing him if he felt OK. Suzuki participated in batting practice and went through his normal routine, but his ankle apparently did not respond well to the activity.Advertisement“He’s starting to feel really good at the plate, feels good with his swing and just wants to continue that timing,” Ross said before Suzuki was removed from the lineup. “And we’ve got an off day coming up in two days (on Thursday), so that also factored in. And as long as he felt good, I was going to play him.”

Ja Morant is likely done for the playoffs, but the debate around his injury will linger for much longer.After being coy about his diagnosis and outlook for days, the Grizzlies revealed Tuesday that Morant suffered a bone bruise in his knee and is “doubtful” for the remainder of the postseason. Morant, one of the NBA’s most exciting attractions, was hurt during Saturday’s Game 3 against the Warriors, limping off the court not long after Golden State’s Jordan Poole awkwardly tugged at his knee.AdvertisementMorant insinuated Poole’s knee-grab was the source of the injury – and perhaps a dirty play – in his since deleted tweet, “broke the code.” Golden State coach Steve Kerr had used similar words to accuse Memphis guard Dillon Brooks of a reckless foul that fractured the wrist of Gary Payton II.Ja Morant is likely out for the rest of the playoffs, dealing a huge blow to the Grizzlies. (Jeff Chiu/AP)However, Poole’s tug was light and there’s skepticism it could cause such an injury to Morant’s knee, even after Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said it was the offending play.AdvertisementPoole, who claimed he was going for the ball (Morant was dribbling), wasn’t punished by the NBA. Conversely, Brooks was suspended a game after his hard foul on Payton II.“You know the code. Talk about the code all series at this point. It was a basketball play when we doubled him,” Poole said. “And I hit the ball, and I was going for the ball. I mean, obviously, you don’t want to see anybody get hurt. I’m not even that type of player. I respect everybody.”Morant, who averaged 27.1 points and 9.8 assists in nine playoff games this year, missed Monday’s 101-98 loss to the Warriors, which placed the second-seeded Grizzlies in a 3-1 hole in the second round.The offense sputtered without Morant and the Grizzlies could be eliminated at home Wednesday in Game 5.Warriors forward Draymond Green, a professional antagonist, warned the Grizzlies in his podcast“This isn’t the Minnesota Timberwolves,” Green said to Memphis. “You’re no longer playing that team. This is the Golden State Warriors. This is championship level basketball.”The Warriors, seeded third, are trying to return to the Finals after two years away. Morant, who recently was awarded the NBA’s Most Improved Player, is expected to make a full recovery before next season, according to the Grizzlies.He attended Game 4 in street clothes.

Outfielder Andrew Vaughn took some swings during batting practice Tuesday before the Chicago White Sox played the Cleveland Guardians at Guaranteed Rate Field.The next step in Vaughn’s recovery from a bruised right hand is a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte.AdvertisementSox manager Tony La Russa said Vaughn was scheduled to leave for Charlotte on Tuesday night and likely would play Wednesday.“He’s made progress,” La Russa said. “(He’s) going to Charlotte and will start to get some at-bats. I think we’re going to see how he feels (to determine how long he stays in Charlotte). He’s got a little soreness, but that’s the soreness, not the hurt-ness.Advertisement“He’s just got to get into game competition and see how it feels. You get (back) to the big leagues, he’s going to want to be as good as he can be.”Vaughn got hit on the hand by a Mike Mayers pitch in the ninth inning April 29 against the Los Angeles Angels and went on the injured list May 2.He has a .283/.367/.566 slash line with three doubles, four home runs, 12 RBIs and five runs in 16 games. Despite the missed time, he entered Tuesday tied for the team lead in homers and RBIs.

The Chicago Blackhawks struck out twice in the NHL draft lottery Tuesday night, which was no surprise.That means their first-round pick — No. 6 overall — goes to the Columbus Blue Jackets as part of the trade for defenseman Seth Jones last July.AdvertisementThe Hawks had just a 7.5% chance of winning the first draw, which went to the Montreal Canadiens.According to tankathon.com, the Hawks had a 7.9% chance of winning the second draw, won by the New Jersey Devils.AdvertisementThe Hawks’ chances of landing in the sixth, seventh or eighth slots were 34.1%, 41.4% and 9.1%, respectively, based on whether a fellow lottery participant leapfrogged them in the two drawings.But for the Hawks, the stakes were first, second or nothing.Their 2022 first-rounder was top-two protected, and if the lottery balls had lined up in their favor, they would’ve transferred their 2023 first-rounder to the Blue Jackets instead.

Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson dodged criminal charges after punching a man multiple times before a flight out of San Francisco last month.The announcement came Tuesday following an investigation by the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office, which says the circumstances preceding the April 20 confrontation led to the decision.Advertisement“The circumstances include the conduct of the victim leading up to the incident, the interaction between Mr. Tyson and the victim, as well as the requests of both the victim and Mr. Tyson that no charges be filed in the case,” District Attorney Stephen M. Wagstaffe said. “We now deem this case to be closed.”Video of the altercation published by TMZ last month appears to show Tyson repeatedly hitting a passenger in the seat behind him on a plane.AdvertisementMike Tyson in 2019. (Willy Sanjuan/Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)The incident occurred prior to the flight’s departure out of San Francisco International Airport, the district attorney said.In a statement last month, representatives for Tyson, 55, described the passenger as “aggressive,” saying he “began harassing (Tyson) and threw a water bottle at him while he was in his seat.”The district attorney’s office says it looked at footage taken by other passengers during its investigation, and reviewed incident reports from the San Francisco Police Department and the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.The reports said the victim had been drinking and “appeared to be intoxicated,” the district attorney told the Daily News.Melvin Townsend III of Florida. The victim shared “minimal details of the incident” with the officers who responded to the scene that day, and was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, the San Francisco Police Department said last month. Police confirmed two people were detained.The passenger whom Tyson punched has since been identified by TMZ as a Florida man named Melvin Townsend III.The Brooklyn-born Tyson, who retired from boxing in 2005, returned in 2020 for an exhibition fight with Roy Jones Jr.

The recently unretired Tom Brady already has his next job lined up.The seven-time Super Bowl champion who retired at the end of last season and then took it back almost immediately has been hired by Fox Sports as its lead analyst whenever his playing career is done for real, Fox Corporation executive chairman and CEO Lachlan Murdoch announced during an earnings call Tuesday.Advertisement“It is entirely up to him when he chooses to retire and move into what will be an exciting television career,” Murdoch told investors, according to the Hollywood Reporter. “That is up to him to make that choice when he sees fit.”[ Tom Brady to star in road trip movie with Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda ]Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 28, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)Brady is also expected to serve as an ambassador for Fox Sports, “particularly with respect to client and promotional initiatives,” Murdoch said.AdvertisementThe 44-year-old quarterback is “excited,” he tweeted, but still has “a lot of unfinished business on the field.”Brady is set to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with whom he won a trophy in 2021, for his 23rd NFL season in the fall.The Fox Sports booth has seen recent shakeups, with Troy Aikman and Joe Buck jumping ship to ESPN. Kevin Burkhardt, the former SNY Mets sideline reporter, was promoted to lead play-by-play announcer.

When he signed on as the Chicago White Sox closer in 2021, Liam Hendriks said he wanted to pitch every day.But he didn’t get the ball Sunday against the Boston Red Sox as manager Tony La Russa chose to rest him after a heavy workload over the past week, letting Bennett Sousa get the final out for his first career save.AdvertisementNo big deal. Hendriks obviously was embellishing when he said he wanted to pitch “every day,” right?“No,” he said before Monday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians. It was not an embellishment.AdvertisementThen how did Hendriks react to the forced day off?“I was upset because I wanted to play,” he said. “I’m extremely excited and happy for (Souza) getting his first career save. That’s something he’ll always cherish. I think the cameras showed me — I was pouting a little bit in the bullpen. They had told me (about the planned day off).”Hendriks got the ball against the Guardians on Monday night with a four-run lead in the ninth. He gave up a single and a game-tying grand slam to Josh Naylor to cap a six-run inning as the Guardians staged a stunning rally to tie the game.After the teams traded runs in the 10th, Naylor’s two-out, three-run home run off Ryan Burr in the 11th gave them the lead, and Trevor Stephan closed out a 12-9 win.“That’s just a brutal loss, to give up six runs like that and a couple chances to win offensively,” La Russa said. “It’s a tough loss. It’s as tough as you’re going to have.”Burr replaced Reynaldo López, who exited with lower back tightness at the start of the inning.“Right now it stings,” Hendriks said. “Burr should’ve never been in that situation. López should’ve never been in that situation. It should’ve been something I took care of. I was one strike away and I wasn’t able to get it done, and that stings the most.”According to ESPN Stats & Info, the Guardians were 1-626 when trailing by six or more runs in the ninth over the last 40 seasons.AdvertisementHendriks saved each of the first five games in the six-game winning streak that ended Monday, and the Sox had only one day off in that span. But La Russa told reporters Sunday: “We told Hendriks don’t even put your spikes on.”Hendriks did wear his spikes Sunday, hoping La Russa would change his mind.“I never go out there unprepared,” he said before Monday’s game. “And if anybody ever goes into our bullpen without their spikes, I’m going to send them running across the field to put them back on because that’s disrespectful.“No, I will always have my spikes on, but I was really hoping I could convince them to let me play. It didn’t come to fruition. I understand it. It’s still disappointing, but in saying that, we got it done and that’s all that really matters.”Fast forward to Monday night. Hendriks warmed up in the bullpen in the eighth with the Sox holding a 5-2 lead. AJ Pollock’s three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth seemingly put the game out of reach, so La Russa turned to left-hander Tanner Banks in the ninth.But errors by Yoán Moncada and Tim Anderson and some shaky pitching by Banks forced La Russa to turn to Hendriks with two outs, two on and the lead down to four. Hendricks gave up a single to Owen Miller to load the bases before Naylor grabbed hold of a 99 mph fastball on the first pitch and sent it into the right-field bleachers.AdvertisementWas getting up and down a factor?“Yeah, I got up in the eighth,” Hendriks said. “Yes, I got up in the ninth. Yes, I sat down and then got back up again. But that’s not an excuse to not get it done. At the end of the day you’re coming in there with a job to do, and I didn’t do my job tonight.”La Russa concurred that Hendriks was ready.“He got ready but he didn’t have to pitch,” he said. “You bring him in with the tying run on deck, there’s not much room for an error there. Give the hitters credit.”The Sox left the bases loaded in the ninth before Indians shortstop Andres Gimenez doubled home the go-ahead run in the 10th. The Sox tied it in the bottom of the inning when Adam Engel beat a throw to the plate on a dribbler to pitcher Emmanuel Chase, but they couldn’t push across another run with the bases loaded and one out.With the game tied in the 11th, La Russa considered walking Naylor with two out and two on.Advertisement“It doesn’t look very good right now,” he said. “We were going to pitch him tough and made a mistake.”Burr was glad La Russa let him challenge Naylor, even as he compared himself to a bug on a windshield that “got squashed.”“I don’t care who it is,” Burr said. “I made a pitch and he hit the ball. That’s the game of baseball for you. It went over the fence. We lost the game.”It wasn’t just that they lost but how they lost. Hendriks said the toughest part was that Michael Kopech’s “phenomenal” six-inning start was lost in the collapse.“He’s still decisionless this year,” Hendriks said. “And that’s another thing, we had an opportunity to give him his first win of the year, and that didn’t come to fruition because I didn’t do my job.”Before the game Hendriks discussed “old-school” relievers who pitched every day.Advertisement“Look, I’ll never ask for a day off,” he said. “I told the training staff, you have to tell me. I’m going to disagree with them most days, but I’ll never ask for a day because I don’t want to get in the mindset, like, ‘OK, I’m not feeling great today, so let me take a day.’“That’s the snowball effect that will make me complacent, and I just never want to let that in. I’ve got a little bit of an old-school mentality some days.”Hendriks’ wish was granted Monday, and he’ll no doubt want the ball again Tuesday.

Trestan Ebner didn’t need long Friday to identify his favorite kickoff return from his five seasons at Baylor.“Probably Iowa State,” Ebner said with a grin. “Called it in the huddle.”AdvertisementIndeed, Ebner told teammates last September that Andrew Mevis’ third-quarter kickoff at McLane Stadium was coming to him and was about to go the distance the other way. A few moments later, he caught the football just outside the right hash marks at his 2-yard line and got rolling.Ebner angled toward the middle of the field, made one sharp cut inside, then found daylight to his left. When he stepped on the gas, the Cyclones coverage team was finished. Receiver Darien Porter may have gotten a fingertip on Ebner’s right ankle around the Iowa State 30. But otherwise, it was highlight-reel material. Called and delivered.AdvertisementThat proved to be a pivotal play in a 31-29 Baylor win and offered evidence of the confidence, speed and vision that make Ebner dangerous. Now he’ll try to use those talents with the Chicago Bears.[ [Don’t miss] Column: How Trestan Ebner’s fast-acting agent — and his sister’s cellphone — connected the Bears with the Baylor RB ]Velus Jones rewound a little further when asked to identify the moment he realized he had gifts as a return man. Pop Warner, Jones said, as a 10-year-old in Alabama.That’s when Jones, against a top-tier opponent that he said had lost only game in the previous half-decade, took a chance.“The ball was just rolling on the ground and I picked it up,” he said. “But I remember at one point that I was slow picking it up so I could bring (the coverage team) in a little more. Then I scooped it up and I knew I could get away with my speed.”[ [Don’t miss] 3 things we heard from Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, including his ‘tremendous’ dynamic with Justin Fields ]Jones used his blockers, found an opening and turned on the jets.End zone. Touchdown. Celebration.“I remember that like it was yesterday,” he said. “I realized sky’s the limit when it came to that. Ever since, I’ve just been perfecting my craft.”Now Jones, too, will work to use those special skills to help him break through in the NFL.AdvertisementExpandAutoplayImage 1 of 11 Meet the Chicago Bears’ 2022 NFL draft class. (Jae C. Hong/AP)As the Bears slowly make their way toward the starting line of the 2022 season with the team rebooting in so many ways, a special teams showdown between two explosive rookies should be fun to keep tabs on.“It will be an exciting competition,” special teams coordinator Richard Hightower said Saturday.Yes, general manager Ryan Poles drafted Jones and Ebner with visions of each carving out a significant role in the offense. But the two players’ special teams achievements also were circled and highlighted.[ [Don’t miss] Bears draft class is older with more college experience — a byproduct of COVID-19. Could it be deeper too? ]At Tennessee last season, Jones was the SEC’s Co-Special Teams Player of the Year after averaging 27.3 yards per kickoff return, including a 96-yard touchdown against South Alabama. He was also dangerous as a punt returner, finishing second in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 15.1 yards per return.Ebner, meanwhile, scored three touchdowns on kickoff returns in his Baylor career and last season was honored as the Big 12′s Special Teams Player of the Year.Baylor running back Trestan Ebner (1) leaps over TCU placekicker Griffin Kell (39) while returning a kickoff Nov. 6, 2021, in Fort Worth, Texas. (Tony Gutierrez/AP)Hightower has been quick to point out that the Bears’ bid to find a kick returner will include more than the two rookies. Running back Khalil Herbert and wide receiver Byron Pringle have NFL experience in that role and will get a look. Others could blend into the battle as well.AdvertisementBut there’s a lot to like about Ebner and Jones.Ebner brings an aggressive mindset to the role and was quick to identify his strengths as a returner.[ [Don’t miss] Column: Bears haven’t had 2 rookie DBs start Week 1 in 51 years. Could Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker end that streak? ]“It’s my vision to find the hole and hit it and the speed to pull it off,” he said.Jones complements his blazing speed with an impressive combination of physicality and fearlessness.“I’ve never, ever been afraid of contact,” he said. “Always run through the smoke. That’s a part of my DNA.”Tennessee’s Velus Jones Jr. (1) returns a kickoff against Florida on Sept. 25, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (John Raoux/AP)A think-big mentality is also part of Jones’ wiring. So while he wore No. 12 for rookie minicamp over the weekend, he has aspirations of switching to No. 23. Yep, for Devin Hester.Advertisement“It would be nice to put that number on,” Jones said. “It’ll put a little pressure on myself. But it’s the kind of pressure you want. I just hope I can be half of what he was.”So do the Bears.For now, Jones and Ebner will continue getting their feet on the ground. When training camp intensifies in August, the two rookies will have opportunities to step up in a big way on special teams. Both remain eager for what’s ahead.

SAN DIEGO — Establishing consistency from start to start had eluded Chicago Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks.The typically reliable Hendricks has endured a slow start. One outing the veteran delivered a vintage performance, the next he struggled to get in a rhythm. Hendricks’ inconsistencies represent a microcosm of the Cubs rotation’s issues nearly five weeks into the season.AdvertisementBut when Hendricks, 32, is locked in, he remains one of the best starters in the league. Count his performance Monday night in San Diego as a classic Hendricks start. He came one out away from his fifth career shutout in the Cubs’ 6-0 victory versus the Padres. In a dazzling effort, Hendricks limited San Diego to three hits over 8⅔ innings while walking one batter and striking out seven.Hendricks talked manager David Ross into letting him go back out for the ninth at 99 pitches. Ross planned to let Hendricks face the first three Padres hitters, with reliever Scott Effross warming up to be ready to face Manny Machado. But a seven-pitch, one-out walk to Jake Cronenworth prevented Hendricks from going the distance.AdvertisementHendricks said he started to fatigue a little after striking out Jose Azocar to begin the ninth.“I can’t walk somebody 6-0 right there,” Hendricks said. “(Ross) knows that, I know that. He’s got all the trust in the world in me and I appreciate it so much.”Cubs fans react as starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks exits with two outs in the ninth inning of a game against the Padres on May 9, 2022. (Gregory Bull/AP)Hendricks became the first Cubs starter to pitch into the eighth inning this year and nearly was the first to throw a shutout since Alec Mills’ no-hitter on Sept. 13, 2020.Hendricks threw 116 pitches Monday, the third-highest pitch count of his career. The only two games he threw more came in 2016: 123 pitches in a shutout versus Miami and 117 pitches in a win at Cincinnati.“You never want to really come out no matter what it is, but I also didn’t realize kind of how high my pitch count was,” Hendricks said. “It’s good to get to see some of the results from the good pitches. But again, that can’t be the focus. I’ve got to establish what I’ve been doing and try to carry that over to the next start.”[ [Don’t miss] After a quick recall by the Chicago Cubs, can Frank Schwindel get on track to avoid a trip to the minors? ]Hendricks credited catcher Yan Gomes’ pitch sequencing early in the game and generating bad swings for helping him build confidence early. He executed the plan and limited the damage, the latter of which the righty hasn’t always navigated well this year. He neutralized the Padres by effectively mixing in his curveball enough to enhance his changeup (10 whiffs) and four-seam fastball (four whiffs and 10 called strikes).“The thing with Kyle is he’s one of the elite pitchers in the game, so guys are going to try to make adjustments,” Gomes said. “He’s probably got one of the best changeups you’ll see whether it’s to righties and lefties, which is usually not a common thing. So guys are going to make adjustments to him, and right now it’s just up to him to try to catch up to that side.“I think you’re starting to see him get a little bit more comfortable and starting to trust all his pitches.”AdvertisementCubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks throws to first for an out against the Padres’ Jose Azocar during the sixth inning on May 9, 2022. (Gregory Bull/AP)Chicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.For the Cubs to be merely competitive, they need Hendricks as a consistent, reliable force in the rotation. Stringing together consecutive quality starts is imperative. His last two outings suggested he is on the right track and creating some momentum in May. The Cubs can feed off Hendricks when he gets rolling.“Seeing the way he works both sides of the plate and the movement on his pitches and just kind of the master of his craft he has, it’s really special,” Nico Hoerner said. “The way that he pitches is not common in this game anymore and it’s amazing to see a guy that has mastered his craft and that’s who he is.“A pitcher that is getting early contact and has a good tempo and all that, it’s incredibly fun to play behind.”[ [Don’t miss] Wade Miley will make his Chicago Cubs debut tonight, coming off the injured list to add stability to the rotation ]Right fielder Seiya Suzuki seemingly avoided a serious injury in the win. Suzuki exited the game in the bottom of the sixth because of right ankle soreness. He is day-to-day after awkwardly stepping on first base in the fifth inning while trying to beat out his double-play ball that scored a run to put the Cubs ahead 3-0. The trainer told Ross that Suzuki’s ankle ailment is “nothing major.”Suzuki said his ankle felt fine after the game, but it will be up to Ross whether he plays Tuesday.“I just wanted to be aggressive there and try to be safe to get that run in,” Suzuki said of the play through interpreter Toy Matsushita. “In that case you want to be careful, but my feelings are stronger to be safe there.Advertisement“You want to play the whole game, but I felt that it was going to affect the team negatively if I kept on playing so I decided to come out of the game.”