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Chicago White Sox outfielder Andrew Vaughn is “most probably” headed to the injured list as he continues to recover from getting hit in the right hand by a pitch, manager Tony La Russa said before Wednesday’s City Series game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.Vaughn got hit in the ninth inning Friday against the Los Angeles Angels at Guaranteed Rate Field. He remained in to run but has missed every game since.Advertisement“It’s doing OK,” Vaughn said Wednesday. “It has kind of progressed, but it’s still aching when I swing, real bad. It’s kind of blocking me from swinging because of the pain.”Said La Russa: “If you think about how long ago it was, it shows you that the bruise is deep and it’s a tough spot to handle it.”AdvertisementVaughn is slashing .283/.367/.566 in 16 games with four home runs and 12 RBIs.“I feel it all the time,” Vaughn said. “It’s not a good place to get hit. A lot of people get hit there and it breaks. I got pretty lucky that it didn’t break, but there’s still a lot of inflammation in there.“I want to be out there playing. I want to be helping my team. It stinks I can’t be out there.”La Russa said it’s possible third baseman Yoán Moncada (right oblique strain) and reliever Joe Kelly (right biceps nerve injury) could join the Sox during the next homestand. The team returns to Guaranteed Rate Field on Monday to play Cleveland. Both players are rehabbing with Triple-A Charlotte.

The Sodfather confirmed Wednesday what most of us in Chicago already assumed.This has been our worst spring ever. Period.AdvertisementRoger Bossard, the head groundskeeper of the Chicago White Sox, didn’t need numbers to back up his claim. He has millions of eyewitnesses.Bossard said Sox manager Tony La Russa recently asked him if he’s ever remembered worse conditions during a Chicago spring.AdvertisementThe answer was a resolute “no.”“There have been times where I had to push some snow off the field or had to melt an inch here or there, but I’ve never seen a constant like this,” Bossard said.“This is my 56th year (as Sox groundskeeper). Never seen it like this. It’s horrible and it’s not just the Sox and Cubs. It’s the golf courses and everybody is just suffering. The plant isn’t growing the way it’s supposed to. The weather pattern is brutal. It’s as bad as I’ve ever seen.”And it’s not just the rain, the cold and the 23 mph wind, all of which made the Sox’s 3-1 win over the Cubs at Wrigley Field a matter of survival of the fittest. Bossard said it’s also the absence of sun that’s hurting his grass and plants.Cubs first base coach Mike Napoli looks on as rain falls during a game against the White Sox at Wrigley Field on May 3, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)“The turf people, we’ve been suffering,” he said. “There is just no sunshine. There are 17 positive ultraviolet rays that come from sunshine that affect plant growth and we haven’t been getting any of them. Well, obviously some, or it wouldn’t grow at all.”La Russa said Tuesday night was among the five or 10 “toughest” playing conditions of his managerial career, which includes 5,282 regular-season games. He didn’t specify whether he also was counting playoffs or his minor-league career or starting out in the Dominican Republic winter league, where Sox owner Bill Veeck dispatched scout Jerry Krause to find out whether La Russa was a keeper.Suffice it to say that’s a lot of games. In his 61st season, La Russa can probably lay claim to the title of bad baseball weather expert.So the question is: Why in the world did last night’s game have to be played?AdvertisementMLB made the ultimate decision, according to sources, after consultation with both teams. The playing surface at Wrigley Field was deemed fine at the start of the game, and the mist was light enough to play through without fear of player injury. Once the game started, it was in the umpires’ hands.Neither team wanted a doubleheader Wednesday, which makes for a very long day and eats up the bullpen. It would’ve been a split doubleheader, making it even longer. Both teams have a scheduled day off Thursday. But after Wednesday’s game, the Sox will have played 15 games in 15 days, dating back to April 20 with a doubleheader against the Cleveland Guardians after back-to-back postponements. They needed a break before a road trip to Boston.Fans brave cold and wet weather from the bleachers at Wrigley Field during a game between the Cubs and the White Sox on May 3, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)The Cubs can be a bit sensitive when it comes to decisions around canceling games after some memorable wrong calls over the years, including the “no-rain rainout” against the San Francisco Giants in 1999 and a Milwaukee Brewers game in 2017 that was prematurely canceled on what turned out to be a fine day. Brewers manager Craig Counsell said it was the first time “we’ve had players treated for sunburn after a rainout.” Then there was an Atlanta Braves game in 2018 that was so miserable players worried about getting pneumonia. The Braves also blew an eight-run lead, which may have factored into the complaints.The Sox have had their share of bad weather calls over the decades as well.After a night game was postponed early on April 26, 1996, California Angels reliever Lee Smith suggested the postponement was made because Chicagoans wanted to watch Michael Jordan and the Bulls in a playoff game against the Miami Heat.Advertisement“I think they figured out that if they played, you and I would’ve been the only ones to show up,” Smith said.The most infamous wrong call was perhaps the 7 ½ hour rain delay before a 9 p.m. cancellation on Aug. 12, 1990, at old Comiskey Park. But at least Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf showed sympathy for fans who waited out the long delay. The Tribune game account reported: “At 8:15 p.m., the Sox offered free food and soft drinks to the remaining fans. At that point, the press box emptied quickly.”White Sox fans have a laugh in the stands at Wrigley Field on May 3, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)Bossard recalled that the National Weather Service kept insisting “a window was coming.” The window, however, was closed.“And we fell for it,” he said of the 1990 incident. “The Weather Service, they have eight scopes. I have two. And it’s their business and all clubs rely on them.”Relying on accurate weather predictions, while also trying to accommodate players who treasure their off days and fans who already bought tickets and made the trip to the ballpark, is often a no-win situation for team executives and MLB honchos. Because someone will wind up unhappy.But after it’s over, fans can say they survived a brutal night at the ballpark.AdvertisementSox fans in the Wrigley stands waved a giant ”L” flag after Tuesday’s win, reminiscent of the “Mike Caruso Game” in 1999, a classic City Series win for the Sox on another rainy day.“It’s funny,” Bossard said. “When you get the ‘W,’ everything is all right.”

En los últimos días, Jairo Torres emigró a un nuevo país, conoció a sus nuevos compañeros y participó en su primer entrenamiento del Chicago Fire, intercalado con una alegre despedida en México y una bienvenida de héroe en Pilsen.Torres anotó el sábado en su último partido con Atlas FC en la Liga MX, recibiendo un estruendoso aplauso en un momento emotivo para el joven de 21 años que surgió de la academia de Atlas y ayudó a Los Rojinegros a ganar el título Apertura 2021.Advertisement[embedded content]El domingo por la noche voló desde su natal Guadalajara a O’Hare para embarcarse en la próxima etapa de su carrera con el Fire, quien presentó formalmente al jugador designado el martes durante una conferencia de prensa en el centro de la ciudad.“Un jugador como Jairo, es alguien que puede hacer la vida de un entrenador mucho más fácil”, dijo el entrenador Ezra Hendrickson. “Quita algunas de tus noches de insomnio. Es simplemente un muy buen jugador. Gran jugador con buena capacidad técnica, sobre todo en situaciones de uno contra uno, algo que necesitamos en este equipo”.AdvertisementTorres entrenó con el Fire por primera vez el martes por la mañana en el SeatGeek Stadium en Bridgeview, luego vino al centro para su conferencia de prensa introductoria. Luego se fue a Vault Gallerie para conocer y saludar a los fanáticos en el oeste de la ciudad, una llegada a Chicago que se produjo más de dos meses después de que el Fire adquiriera al extremo.Se une al Fire en el momento adecuado: después de un comienzo de temporada 2-0-2, no han ganado en sus últimos cinco partidos de la Major League Soccer.Naturalmente, la movida de Torres viene con mayores expectativas en el Fire, con quien se pondrá a prueba para ser un ganador y un líder, un papel que Torres dijo que está ansioso por asumir.“Creo que maduré mucho en Atlas”, dijo. “El equipo en el que estaba realmente me ayudó a crecer y madurar para convertirme en un mejor jugador. En realidad, sabía que al entrar había muchas expectativas sobre mí, pero voy a tratar de asumir ese papel para ser un líder, siempre, dentro y fuera del campo”.[ To read this story in English, please click here ]“Me refiero a que hay una razón por la que vine aquí. Así que voy a dar todo lo que tengo para ser un modelo a seguir dentro y fuera del campo y estar completamente concentrado para dar lo mejor de mí aquí”.Hendrickson dijo que espera que Torres juegue algún tiempo el sábado ante el Atlanta United, y cree que la incorporación del mexicano ayudará a corregir un ataque del Fire que ha anotado solo seis goles en nueve partidos.El director técnico del Fire, Sebastian Pelzer, dijo que el equipo exploró a Torres durante aproximadamente un mes, prestando especial atención a su trabajo sin balón además de su habilidad ofensiva.“Cuando lo vi en vivo fue incluso mejor que en la pantalla”, dijo Pelzer sobre la habilidad de Torres. “Quedé muy impresionado con sus habilidades ofensivas. Y también el compromiso que tiene con su equipo, trabajando duro también defensivamente”.Advertisement“Somos ambiciosos. Queremos triunfar, y tener un jugador con total compromiso por el esfuerzo del equipo, eso es lo que se necesita. Jairo se destacó en muchas cosas y esa fue una de ellas”.El nuevo mediocampista del Chicago Fire, Jairo Torres, a la izquierda, posa para fotografías con fanáticos en Vault Gallerie, 2015 S. Laflin St., el martes 3 de mayo de 2022 en Chicago. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)Sobre el papel, Torres cumple todos los requisitos para el Fire desde el punto de vista futbolístico. Es un extremo joven y dinámico que muestra mucho potencial.Tampoco está de más fichar a un jugador que pueda conectarse con la comunidad mexicana de Chicago.“Sabemos la importancia de los jugadores mexicanos en Chicago”, dijo Pelzer. “Nos gustaría servir a esta comunidad también. … No es sólo buscar diferentes países. También es encontrar una buena combinación de cómo podemos contribuir a la comunidad de Chicago”.Pero todos también son realistas y se dan cuenta de que cuanto mejor juegue Torres para el Fire, más probable es que atraiga el interés de los clubes europeos.Eso podría significar otro torbellino en unos años.Advertisement“Esta es una liga que ha estado creciendo durante muchos, muchos años”, dijo Torres. “Es realmente emocionante poder venir aquí porque muchos jugadores que han estado viniendo aquí, con el crecimiento de la liga, también se han ido a jugar a Europa. Y al final del día, ese es el sueño de todos, ¿verdad? Para poder ir a Europa”.Torres no será la única incorporación nueva al Fire antes de que cerró la ventana de transferencia primaria de la MLS el miércoles. Una fuente confirmó un informe del Athletic que decía que el Fire tiene un acuerdo verbal para fichar a Mueller, un nativo de Schaumburg que recientemente jugó para el Hibernian en la Premiership escocesa.Mueller, de 25 años, fue el Jugador Ofensivo del Año 2017 de los Diez Grandes en Wisconsin y jugó fútbol juvenil con Sockers FC Chicago en los suburbios del noroeste.Pelzer se negó a entrar en detalles el martes, pero insinuó que Mueller, finalista del premio al Novato del Año de la MLS 2018 con Orlando City, debería firmar a tiempo.Torres y Mueller deberían darle al Fire muchas opciones de ataque en apoyo de Xherdan Shaqiri y Kacper Przybyłko.—Este texto fue traducido por Octavio López/TCA

London is taking the Giants back to face the Pack.The Giants will take on Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers on Oct. 9 at 9:30 a.m. ET at Tottenham Stadium, a source tells the Daily News. The Packers will be the home team.AdvertisementThis will be the Giants’ third ever trip to London and their first to Tottenham Stadium. They are 2-0 so far in those games.They beat the Miami Dolphins, 13-10, at Wembley Stadium in the NFL’s first ever regular season game in London on Oct. 28, 2007. And they beat the Los Angeles Rams, 17-10, at Twickenham Stadium on Oct. 23, 2016.AdvertisementEli Manning was the quarterback for both of those victories.The Packers will become the 32nd NFL team to play in London since 2007.The Giants and Packers will play in London’s Tottenham Stadium this season, Daily News learns. (Ian Walton/AP)“The Green Bay Packers are excited to make our international debut during the 2022 season,” Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy said recently in a statement.On Wednesday, the NFL is expected to announce the specifics of all its 2022 international games featuring the Packers, Cardinals, Jaguars, Saints and Buccaneers.It is already known that the Bucs will play in the NFL’s inaugural regular-season game in Munich, Germany, and the Cardinals will play in Mexico City, where they hosted the league’s first-ever regular-season game outside the United States in 2005.The Saints will play in the UK for the third time. The Jaguars already announced that they will play a home game at Wembley Stadium in 2022.The NFL then will release its full regular season schedule on May 12. The Giants already know their home and road opponents.They’ll host the Cowboys, Eagles, Commanders, Ravens, Panthers, Bears, Lions, Texans and Colts.AdvertisementThey’ll visit the Cowboys, Eagles, Commanders, Packers, Jaguars, Vikings, Seahawks and Titans.And now, first year coach Brian Daboll knows he’ll be taking his team across the Atlantic Ocean.

The Chicago Sky embark on a new era for the franchise when they open the 2022 season Friday.It took the team 14 years to claim its first WNBA title and with that came a few upgrades. The practice facility in Deerfield was stripped of its Bulls-themed colors, replaced by Sky blue and gold. Merchandise options have expanded for fans who were deprived for years. And the Sky will host their first All-Star Game on July 10 at Wintrust Arena.AdvertisementIt only takes one championship to change a team’s standards on and off the court. After the Sky overcame a .500 regular-season record last year to win the WNBA Finals, six-time All-Star Candace Parker believes they have more to prove.“I don’t think we were good last year,” Parker said. “We played well in the playoffs, but I don’t think as a whole we can say we had a good season. That is what is motivating me right now.Advertisement“In offseason workouts, we had conversations about how we were better than (the sixth seed). Now we just have to go out and show it.”[ [Don’t miss] Cubs and Marquee Sports Network announce a multiyear TV partnership with the Sky ]Armed with five former All-Stars and young but experienced talent, the Sky are vying to become the third team in WNBA history to win back-to-back championships and the first since the 2002 Los Angeles Sparks.First, though, they have to go through a 36-game regular season before they can think about repeating. Here are three storylines to follow as the Sky season starts.ExpandAutoplayImage 1 of 34Chance the Rapper sings as Chicago Sky players dance during a rally for the WNBA champions. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)While no decisions have been made about this group’s future together, the writing is on the wall. Allie Quigley pondered retirement in the offseason, Parker recently turned 36 and Courtney Vandersloot’s overseas commitments might keep her from playing in 2023 because of the league’s new prioritization rules. Azurá Stevens and Emma Meesseman are also unrestricted free agents after this season.However, looking around the landscape of the league, the Sky have the best shot at reaching the high bar they have set for themselves. Outside of the Connecticut Sun, few teams got better in the offseason.The Seattle Storm are returning a worse version of last season’s team and are betting on their post-Olympic break downturn being due to fatigue. The Las Vegas Aces lost Liz Cambage in free agency, the Minnesota Lynx will be without Napheesa Collier, the Phoenix Mercury are waiting on Brittney Griner’s detainment in Russia to be settled and the Los Angeles Sparks have a lot of big names with questionable talent.[ [Don’t miss] Grading the Chicago Sky’s offseason moves, from trading Diamond DeShields to re-signing Kahleah Copper ]This Sky group hasn’t been together as long as the 1997-98 “Last Dance” Bulls, but the championship expectations are the same. The upper echelon of the league arguably got worse while the Sky got better. However it is framed, the Sky are primed to capitalize on what could be their final shot to win another championship with this roster.“I have stated it before: Our team is like a cheat code because we have a lot of players who can do different things,” Stevens said. “Not every team has that and it makes it hard for other teams.”AdvertisementChicago Sky forward Emma Meesseman at media day on May 3, 2022. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)There are 100 directions the Sky could go with their starting and closing lineups. Coach/general manager James Wade could roll with the lineup that won a championship last year: Vandersloot, Quigley, Kahleah Copper, Parker and Stevens.That group outscored opponents by 89 points in 161 minutes together during the 2021 playoffs. No one would bat an eye to see that lineup together again for most of the season.The wrinkle to this equation is Emma Meesseman’s domination in training camp. She has drawn rave reviews from teammates and put up an effortless 24 points in 26 minutes versus the Dallas Wings during the first preseason game.If she comes off the bench, Meesseman no doubt would be a front-runner to win the Sixth Woman of the Year Award. She thrived in that role with the Washington Mystics and has the talent to lead the second unit.[ [Don’t miss] Emma Meesseman gives the Chicago Sky a 3rd WNBA Finals MVP on the roster. Here’s how the talented forward can help the team in its repeat bid. ]However, there is a scenario in which Meesseman starts and ends games for the 2022 Sky. Stevens has dealt with injuries throughout her career but said during training camp she feels better mentally and physically. While the Sky don’t plan to restrict her minutes, if they want to ease her along so she is ready come playoff time, Stevens could end up vying for Sixth Woman of the Year honors.It’s a mystery heading into the season how Wade will alter his lineups once Copper comes back from her season in Spain. No matter what, expect both Meesseman and Stevens to receive heavy minutes.AdvertisementChicago Sky guard Dana Evans at media day on May 3, 2022. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)The Sky put a lot of miles on their starters during their 2021 playoff run. Every starter except Stevens played more than 32 minutes per game in the postseason.Vandersloot, who partially tore the plantar fascia in her left foot during Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, averaged a team-high 34.4 minutes. Going with a smaller rotation in the playoffs is normal, but injuries derailed this team at the start of 2021.Heading into 2022, the Sky are rich in backcourt depth, which they hope will give their All-Star guards room to breathe. Evans has taken a major step forward in her development. Throughout camp, the former second-round pick has looked like she has mastered Wade’s system. She said her 2021 self compared with now feels like “night and day.”“I just want to be great,” Evans said. “I will never settle for just being in the league. No, I want to be one of the best players in the league. That is my goal. Sloot doesn’t need a ton of reps, so I’m just trying to get better day by day.”[ [Don’t miss] Ann Wauters, the Chicago Sky’s new assistant coach, has an impressive pedigree. Now her goal is to help them repeat. ]Evans grabbed the backup point guard spot last year after being traded to the Sky midseason, but they have other options beyond her. In a trade that sent former All-Star Diamond DeShields to Phoenix, the Sky acquired former Indiana Fever guard Julie Allemand. She still is playing in France but is eager to return to the WNBA after two years off.New assistant coach Ann Wauters believes the Sky can utilize Allemand outside of being a traditional facilitator.Advertisement“She’s going to have a different role playing behind Sloot but at the same time being that impact player we know she can be,” Wauters said. “She’s more of a combo guard. We see her being able to play behind Allie. She’s ready to get here.”Sparks at Sky, Friday: The buzz around the league is that the Sparks are a championship-caliber team after adding Chennedy Carter, Liz Cambage and Jordin Canada. That theory will be tested in the season opener by a loaded Sky frontcourt.Aces at Sky, May 28: These teams have become rivals since 2019, and this is the first season in which the Sky enter as the heavy favorite in each matchup, barring injuries.Mercury at Sky, May 31: This will be the Mercury’s first visit to Chicago since the Sky beat them in four games in the finals. The infamous hole in the visitors’ locker-room door has been repaired, but what about the Mercury’s feelings?James Kay is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.

Chicago White Sox starter Michael Kopech knows the elements can be part of a game.The Sox and Cubs had to deal with the cold, wind and rain Tuesday in the City Series at Wrigley Field.Advertisement“The wind was the main thing. The wind was changing directions every inning,” Kopech said. “Sometimes (the elements) work with you and sometimes they work against you. Today, I felt like I was able to work with them for the most part. But it wasn’t too terrible.”Kopech remained in control in the tough conditions, allowing four hits while striking out five and walking two in four-plus scoreless innings in a 3-1 victory against the Cubs.Advertisement“His stuff is electric,” said Sox shortstop Tim Anderson, who homered in the win.White Sox starter Michael Kopech smiles as he and catcher Reese McGuire (21) walk to the dugout after retiring the Cubs in the second inning Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at Wrigley Field. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)Kopech didn’t qualify for the victory; Reynaldo Lopez was credited with the win after getting a double play and a strikeout in the fifth. But Kopech helped the Sox win consecutive games for the first time since April 15-16 against the Tampa Bay Rays.“Last year, I saw the hunger,” Sox manager Tony La Russa said. “I mean, he wants to be a starter. And when you have talent like that and you add desire?“You see the way he works to get ready. The breaking ball is getting more consistent. He’s moving his fastball around. He’s got a changeup, and when it gets a little warmer, he’ll use that too.“It was a tough day for pitching. In fact, I was going to get him out after four and he says, ‘I’m still good to go.’ I gave him a chance to be the winning pitcher. I said, ‘I’m not going to push it.’”[ [Don’t miss] Column: Players and fans alike weather miserable conditions for the opener of the City Series at Wrigley Field ]Kopech cruised through the first two innings, striking out three. He was tested in the third after a 14-pitch at-bat for Alfonso Rivas resulted in a walk, giving the Cubs runners on first and second with one out.Seiya Suzuki ripped a liner that first baseman José Abreu caught. Abreu beat Rivas to first to complete a double play.The Cubs loaded the bases in the fourth with a single, a walk and an error. Kopech got Yan Gomes to pop out to Abreu to end the inning.AdvertisementKopech exited after allowing a single to Nick Madrigal to begin the fifth. He lowered his ERA to 1.17 in the 83-pitch effort.“For the most part they were taking pretty good at-bats,” Kopech said. “One in particular was Rivas, 14-pitch at-bat, ended in a walk. That changed my whole outing. Credit to him there.“Also, I think some guys are going up there looking for a certain pitch and my job is to not give them that pitch or to execute a pitch that’s so good that they can’t touch it. I think I just caught a few guys in between tonight, and a couple of their guys got me.”[ [Don’t miss] Luis Robert gets a rest in the City Series opener, but the White Sox CF is responding well after returning from a groin strain ]Kopech wanted to go at least five innings, but he also acknowledged the big picture.“That’s the conversation, right?” he said. “I want to be healthy at the end of the year and able to go six, seven, eight or whatever in July, August, September, hopefully October. I completely understand, but I’m still in the position where I want to do it now. I want to do it in May, I want to do it in June, I want to do it in July.“I just want to give the best performance I can for my team every time I take the mound. And (Tuesday) could have been that. But I understand that I’ve had some high pitch counts in earlier innings that kept me from being able to do that too. So I’ve got to be more efficient.”AdvertisementKopech continues to learn with each start.“I don’t think I’ve pitched to the best of my capabilities, but I feel like I’ve had opportunities to grind and battle with what I do have,” he said. “With those opportunities, I’ve been able to take advantage of working with what I’ve got.“Lot of lessons in this first month. But I think I’ve got a lot of improvements to make too.”

The NFL draft has come and gone, and judging by the questions in Brad Biggs’ weekly Chicago Bears mailbag, readers aren’t impressed with the depth chart at wide receiver. Biggs answers those and other questions about the post-draft state of the Bears roster.Some rumors out there the Bears aren’t sold on Justin Fields. How do you explain the lack of investment in O-line and receivers? Is it fair to expect that scheme and experience will help him make the jump they want to see from him? — @tn5280AdvertisementI’m not sure you can change the minds of the people fueling this conspiracy theory after first-year general manager Ryan Poles used his first two draft picks on defensive backs. Poles chose not to overpay in free agency for what was largely middle-of-the-road wide receiver talent. He didn’t have the draft capital to swing a trade for one of the high-profile receivers who changed teams, and more importantly, the Bears aren’t at the stage where a big, bold move is the final item on their checklist. In terms of offensive linemen, the high-caliber ones are very expensive in free agency and most of the “name” players still out there are unsigned for a reason — their play has declined and they’re beat up a bit physically.The hope at Halas Hall is a change in coaching staff, a new playbook and a year of experience will help Fields and the players around him improve. I don’t think a playbook change will do all of that because people placed way too much blame on former coach Matt Nagy and his staff for what happened offensively last year. I’m not going to defend them, but the NFL is more about Jimmys and Joes than X’s and O’s.AdvertisementPoles said he would be careful in free agency and he was true to his word. The Bears believe Byron Pringle, signed to a one-year contract in free agency, can be a serviceable No. 2 wide receiver this season. As long as he’s healthy, he will surpass Allen Robinson’s numbers last season when he was slowed by injuries: 38 receptions, 410 yards and one touchdown. Perhaps Pringle can excel now that he’s not down the depth chart like he was with the Kansas City Chiefs.As far as the offensive line goes, the Bears are probably not done yet. To get elite offensive tackles, you have to either pay a boatload in free agency or invest a very high draft pick. The Bears will see if last year’s rookies, Larry Borom and Teven Jenkins, pan out. They added center Lucas Patrick, who knows the playbook, and tried to pick up Ryan Bates at right guard. There’s a good chance they are on the lookout for a veteran to slot in at right guard.ExpandAutoplayImage 1 of 119Bears quarterback Justin Fields scores in the fourth quarter against the 49ers at Soldier Field on Oct. 31, 2021. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)The roster Poles inherited had needs across the board, and he wasn’t going to be able to fill them all in one offseason. Depending on how this season goes, it could be a challenge to get everything in place before the 2023 season.The crowd that believes Poles and the new regime are not sold on Fields will have a tough time answering how it would benefit the Bears to set up the quarterback to fail. Poles will get only so many shots at solving the ongoing QB riddle at Halas Hall. His job will be infinitely easier if Fields looks substantially better this year. The roster is constantly evolving and the Bears are placing a good deal of faith in their new staff. [ [Don’t miss] Ryan Poles’ remodeling project is about to take a big step forward. Here’s how he prepared for his 1st draft as Chicago Bears GM. ]You make excellent points about the secondary needing to be fixed, and after the last couple of regimes drafted for need all too often, I’m going to give Ryan Poles the benefit of the doubt and say that his second-round picks were the right call. But only selecting one receiver with all of the remaining picks he accumulated? And Velus Jones Jr. looks to primarily be a special teams player? It’s pretty hard to believe there were no other receivers worth taking a shot at in a draft that was supposed to run deep for receivers. What are your thoughts? — David S., Los AngelesThat’s a fair question. If you would have told me before the draft that Poles would wind up with 11 picks, I would have guessed he would come away with more than one receiver. You do realize that if he had loaded up on wide receivers in the late rounds (the Bears wound up with eight of the final 94 picks), I would be getting a similar question from those fuming that Poles did not draft more offensive linemen.Jones is really interesting to me because of his physical traits and his production at Tennessee last year: 62 receptions for 807 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s far from polished, but if offensive coordinator Luke Getsy is as excited about this selection as has been described, it will be fascinating to watch how Getsy uses Jones.[ [Don’t miss] Meet the Chicago Bears’ 11 picks from the 2022 NFL draft, from cornerback Kyler Gordon to punter Trenton Gill ]Another thing I have said in previous mailbags is that Equanimeous St. Brown is an interesting signing for the Bears. He’ll have a head start with Getsy’s playbook and he’s a big target with top speed on the outside. St. Brown needs to prove he can be durable and dependable, but don’t dismiss the possibility he emerges this season.AdvertisementYes, the draft ran deep at receiver, but by the time the Bears had plenty of picks — late in Round 5 and on — you’re talking about guys with traits. Poles opted to go with linemen. We’ll see how they pan out.Is the lack of early offensive picks on Day 2 a sign that Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus believe that most of the current offensive pieces are exactly what are needed? — @petermartuneacI would not take that leap of faith. The Bears had significant needs in the secondary. They had one clear starter at cornerback in Jaylon Johnson and one clear starter at safety in Eddie Jackson. So you’re talking about major needs at key positions on both sides of the ball. The way the draft fell, specifically the first round and start of the second, some high-caliber defensive backs were available. Had wide receivers or offensive linemen fallen, I’m sure we might have seen Poles go the other direction and take two offensive players with his first three picks. As it was, they went the other way. You can argue the Bears didn’t get the offensive help they needed out of the high picks. You cannot dispute they had pressing needs in a secondary that performed poorly last season.[ [Don’t miss] How a flurry of trades by new GM Ryan Poles gave the Chicago Bears more swings in the NFL draft ]What about another defensive lineman? Matt Eberflus said he wants to play in waves but they simply don’t have the depth to do that right now. Maybe Larry Ogunjobi will still come on board? Thoughts? — @billhol54685080The Bears no doubt will be active monitoring the market for available veterans and players cast off by other teams. I would earmark the defensive and offensive lines as positions to watch closely. I agree they need more additions on the defensive line, but it’s also a situation for some younger players to step forward. As for Ogunjobi, I’ve answered this multiple times and more people have inquired: I highly doubt he would have interest in joining the Bears after they nixed the original agreement because of a failed physical. Never say never in the NFL, but I’d be surprised if those sides came together again.Do you see the Bears adding a WR like Jarvis Landry or even taking a cheap flier on Will Fuller to the WR room? Or is Landry’s asking price and being strictly a slot WR a deterrent? And Fuller’s injury history? If not them, who then? — @jtbarczakAdvertisementLandry is seeking a major payday, and that doesn’t seem like the kind of move the Bears are willing to make. Fuller is a vertical stretch guy, and the Bears have a couple of players on the roster who can do that. Adding Landry would not be the difference between success and failure for the Bears offense this season. As I said above, the Bears are confident Byron Pringle can be an adequate No. 2 receiver. Maybe they will stay in the hunt for a wide receiver, but I’d remain focused on the lines right now.ExpandAutoplayImage 1 of 46Head coach Matt Eberflus walks the field, April 19, 2022, during Chicago Bears minicamp at Halas Hall. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)In your view, how does the Bears WR corps look after the draft? Outside of Darnell Mooney, it looks pretty dreadful to me. — @danielkirshbaumIt’s not great, but a longer view of the roster is required. There was no way Poles and Eberflus would have their depth chart looking like they want it before this season begins. I believe the Bears will look significantly different at the start of the 2023 season. There’s still time for changes and there could be some good surprises in the season ahead. I think it’s a positive to give third-round pick Velus Jones an opportunity to learn on the job. Why sign a veteran who is more ready and limit Jones’ playing time? Throw him in and see what he can do. Will wide receiver be a high priority entering next offseason? That’s very possible. But there was no way to fix everything in one offseason.[ [Don’t miss] Chicago Bears draft class is older with more college experience — a byproduct of COVID-19. Could it be deeper too? ]How many of this year’s draftees do you believe will significantly contribute in three years? — @rvwr1That’s difficult to say as eight of the Bears’ 11 selections came in the final 94 picks. They were going for traits and upside with those selections. Obviously they hope cornerback Kyler Gordon, strong safety Jaquan Brisker and wide receiver Velus Jones develop as core players. After that, defensive end Dominique Robinson and running back Trestan Ebner are interesting selections. Robinson is super raw, but the Bears believe they can develop his pass-rushing skills. Ebner should slot in immediately on special teams and might get some time in the backfield. Of the four offensive linemen the Bears drafted, they will be lucky if one pans out. What will the starting LB group be at the start and end of training camp? — @bigiant9AdvertisementRoquan Smith and Nicholas Morrow are almost certain to be the starters in the middle and on the weak side. What we don’t know is who will be in each slot. The coaching staff hasn’t offered a hint in that regard. It’s a little bit of a mystery who will be on the strong side, but remember Eberflus said the Bears could be in their nickel defense up to 80% of the time, so don’t expect the Sam linebacker to get a ton of playing time. Jeremiah Attaochu is a candidate to play that role. It’s also possible the team will add a veteran before the end of camp.A better secondary could help Justin Fields because the Bears would not be playing from behind so often and subject to constant blitzes. Your thoughts? — @chriscremer9Poles made that very point when he talked about the big picture and how helping the team improve will help every area. I don’t know if a better secondary would mean Fields will face fewer blitzes. If the Bears are struggling to protect Fields, the opponent will be dialing up pressure. If the Bears can play better defense, play with a lead more often and run the ball more consistently, they certainly will face fewer pressures.How many potential starters are we thinking from the draft? I’m hoping three. — @jasonloetterieLooks to me like the Bears have two Day 1 starters in cornerback Kyler Gordon and strong safety Jaquan Brisker. In the long run, the best-case scenario might be getting four starters from the draft. Three would be OK, though, if you’re talking about a solid starter and not a stopgap option.[ [Don’t miss] Chicago Bears release QB Nick Foles after being unable to find a taker for the former Super Bowl MVP ]Do you think the Bears will receive compensatory draft picks in 2023? I know the formula isn’t exact, but given the Allen Robinson signing with the Los Angeles Rams, is there a chance Bears get a free pick or picks? — @themaxconnor1AdvertisementThe formula for compensatory picks is exact — it’s just not known. Right now, it does not look like the Bears will get a compensatory pick in 2023, according to overthecap.com. It’s possible that could shift and they get awarded a late pick. The Bears over the last decade-plus have been one of the worst teams in terms of benefiting from comp picks.How poorly did the Bears draft? Why not take an OL and DL and a polished WR with the first three picks? — @adam_ragelWe haven’t even seen these players on the field yet for rookie minicamp, which will happen this weekend. Who did you have in mind to start opposite Jaylon Johnson at cornerback and next to Eddie Jackson at safety? As I said above, you can make a valid case the Bears didn’t get enough help on the lines or at receiver in the draft. You can’t say they didn’t need help in the secondary.Here’s one thing a GM told me a couple of years ago. Let’s say defensive line is a major need and the team selects a tight end in the second round. In two years, the only thing that will matter about the pick is if the tight end is a bona fide player. If he is, it’s a good pick. If he’s not, it’s a bad pick. If the Bears had proper value when setting their board and then following it, they should be OK. [ [Don’t miss] Mark Sadowski is out as Chicago Bears college scouting director, sources say, as GM Ryan Poles reshapes the front office ]Ryan Poles probably didn’t go into the draft thinking he’d draft a punter, but since he did, why not use one of the earlier “I hope this lottery ticket pans out” picks on the Punt God instead? — @hickeymjThe Buffalo Bills drafted San Diego State punter Matt Araiza in the sixth round, and he was the third punter chosen. So despite his nickname, he wasn’t exactly a “Punt God” for NFL personnel who evaluate punters. One thing I was told is that while Araiza has a booming leg, he too often kicks line-drive punts that lack adequate hang time. AdvertisementScouting is critical to a team’s success. What is the average number of scouts per NFL team? How many do the Bears employ? — @fjhscrantonIncluding pro scouts, the Bears had 19 last season, which sits right about at the league average after I chatted with a few scouts from different teams. Poles is in the process of tweaking his staff. Pro scouting director Jeff King was promoted Tuesday to co-director of player personnel. The Bears are not bringing back college scouting director Mark Sadowski, and a few area scouts could be shuffled around.The quality of the scouts a team employs is more significant than the quantity. The Bears surely will feel good about their group when Poles has finalized it. Keep in mind, the Cincinnati Bengals are notorious for having far and away the smallest scouting staff in the NFL. They are the defending AFC champions.

Few things came easy Tuesday night at Wrigley Field for the crosstown foes.Bone-chilling conditions — a wind chill in the 30s with a constant light rain and a 23 mph wind whipping from left to right field — created a brutal environment that Chicago Cubs and White Sox players and an announced 34,206 fans endured during a 3-1 Sox win.AdvertisementRarely was the play entertaining in a grind-it-out game that pitted Sox starter Michael Kopech against a struggling Cubs offense. The Cubs countered with a bullpen game started by reliever Scott Effross after scheduled starter Drew Smyly went on the bereavement list before the game.The Sox used a soft tapper down the third-base line from Jake Burger against Effross and a sacrifice bunt by catcher Reese McGuire to plate two runs off right-hander Keegan Thompson in the second inning. They tacked on a run in the third when Tim Anderson took Thompson deep for his fourth home run.AdvertisementThe Sox wouldn’t need any more offensive help. Liam Hendriks needed only 10 pitches in a perfect ninth to pick up his sixth save.Six Sox pitchers combined to strike out 12 Cubs, led by Kopech’s five in four shutout innings. Kopech lowered his ERA to 1.17 through five starts.As has occurred too frequently lately, the Cubs had opportunities, but two double plays hurt offensive momentum. They finished 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position and left seven on base.The Cubs bullpen came in leading the majors with 115 strikeouts and 11.33 strikeouts per nine innings. However, the five Cubs relievers — including Effross — combined for only three strikeouts.An athletic play by shortstop Nico Hoerner helped put away the Sox’s bases-loaded threat in the fifth. Hoerner, ranging in the hole, fielded a grounder off José Abreu’s bat and threw across his body to second base to start an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play. The Sox wasted a chance to build on their three-run lead after Thompson hit Josh Harrison and Anderson to start the inning.Hoerner was also responsible for the Cubs’ lone run, doubling home Ian Happ with two outs in the sixth.

There’s something about a City Series game that brings out the best in everyone.A good-natured rivalry, the availability of $14 beers and Chicagoans’ love of a spirited argument always seem to put fans in the right mood.Advertisement“You’ll see maybe one fight in the outfield and the bleachers once in a while,” White Sox starter Lucas Giolito said before Tuesday’s series opener at Wrigley Field. “But this series over the past few years, like the second inning — ‘Oh, we got one already.’”The Cubs marketing department missed out on an opportunity to have former Bears center Olin Kreutz throw out the ceremonial first punch, but otherwise it pulled out all the stops.AdvertisementThe trophy that goes to the winner of the annual crosstown series was on display on a table in the rain next to the Cubs dugout for one and all to see. It was part of the pageantry that comes with the Cubs-Sox series, though no one was in the stands and the only one paying any attention to it was the Cubs mascot.It was too cold to care, though not quite bad enough to cancel the game.[ [Don’t miss] Column: It’s hard to get too excited for the return of the City Series during a gloomy Chicago spring ]Neither rain nor wind nor gloom of spring could keep these teams from their appointed ballgame, even if anyone with common sense would’ve postponed it and played a doubleheader Wednesday, a rare Chicago day with no precipitation in the forecast.The game-time temperature was 45 degrees with a north wind of 23 mph and a slight mist, conditions better suited for duck hunting than the City Series. While Wrigley Field usually is packed for the start of the crosstown games, less than half of the seats were filled when starter Scott Effross took the mound, the first of several Cubs pitchers on what turned into a bullpen day.At least the Cubs and Sox players are used to this by now, and no one was complaining, at least out loud.“Just remind them they’re playing in the big leagues,” Sox manager Tony La Russa said. “Arizona is waiting for them if they don’t like it. Being a little sarcastic, but the fact is they appreciate you go through this in April, now May. And later on, they’ll be looking for cooler weather. As long as both sides have to deal with it, you go at it.”That doesn’t make it right to force fans to either sit through nights like this or eat their pricey tickets. But buying a ticket to a game in a ballpark near the lakefront before Memorial Day is always a risk, so caveat emptor.Wrigley is a beautiful place in the summer, but nothing’s drearier than Wrigley in the spring before the ivy blooms.Advertisement[ [Don’t miss] Luis Robert gets a rest in the City Series opener, but the White Sox CF is responding well after returning from a groin strain ]Back in 2007 I asked Cubs players if they thought Wrigley would last another 50 years without major changes. Catcher Michael Barrett — best remembered for punching Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski and igniting a brawl in a 2006 City Series game on the South Side — had a unique idea on how to preserve Wrigley into the 2050s.“Ideally, especially for this time of year, you’d like to see a dome put on the outside of it,” Barrett said. “Don’t change anything about Wrigley Field. Just reinforce it and have a dome covering it.”The Ricketts Dome?Well, it would make going to a Cubs game in April and early May relatively tolerable, but now that the Ricketts family owns most of the rooftop clubs, that probably would be a non-starter even if it got through the city council.Everyone in the Cubs and Sox clubhouses appeared ready to deal with the raw conditions, even if some of the fans opted to stay at home or in the Wrigleyville bars. Cubs second baseman Nick Madrigal and his former Sox teammate Gavin Sheets spoke beforehand about mutual trash-talking, and Madrigal said Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal texted him Tuesday morning about something that wasn’t revealed.“It’s all fun and games,” Madrigal said. “I have built a lot of friendships over there. I don’t think this game means more than any other game. I’m sure I’ll be joking around with some of the guys on the bases … but we’re just focused on trying to win games at the end of the day.”Advertisement[ [Don’t miss] A banged-up Willson Contreras is day to day for the Cubs, while shoulder inflammation sidelines reliever Ethan Roberts ]Wins have been hard to come by for both teams this season, which was expected for the rebuilding Cubs. The Sox are another story, one that needs a rewrite at this point.But misery loves company, so both teams’ fans can take solace in the misery of their rivals. Still, Giolito wasn’t sure why fans in Chicago can’t root for the other side if their team isn’t doing well.“It seems like people want to be happy, right?” he said. “One team is playing well and the other team is not playing well, (so) try and stay positive and root for this team, I guess. I didn’t grow up here. I grew up in California, and I didn’t even really grow up a fan of a team. So that kind of mindset … that’s kind of foreign to me.”It’s a mindset most Cubs and Sox fans were born with, and it’s too late to change now. Being happy means the other guys are unhappy.So they sat together at Wrigley on Tuesday like human popsicles, watching a game while trying to feel their toes, because that’s just how we roll.

Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson has a lot of work ahead of him between the NHL draft, free agency and finalizing his front office — and he has to balance those priorities with the search for a permanent head coach.Davidson told reporters Tuesday he has been working for a while on a profile of his next coach but hasn’t set a target date for a hire.Advertisement“When we feel comfortable using that list of criteria to create a candidate list, we’ll do that,” he said. “But we don’t have a firm, firm timeline.”He added later, “Middle of July is a good time frame.”AdvertisementDavidson addressed other issues he’s tackling, including his choice to hire a former Cubs executive, his vision for the rebuild and the elephant in the room — what to do about Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews.Here are three things we learned from his sit-down with reporters.When Davidson took over the permanent GM role in March, he and CEO Danny Wirtz said the roster needed a complete reset to craft a perpetual contender — and they wouldn’t put a timeline on how long that process might take.However, they did throw out the possibility it could take at least three to five years.In recent weeks, players such as Toews and Kane — both entering the last year of their contracts — said they see no reason the team can’t right the ship in a season or two.“Like we’ve seen with other teams, things can turn around pretty quickly,” Toews said.Said Kane: “You can win and still be in a rebuild. I think there are teams that have accelerated that, too, right?”Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane, left, and center Jonathan Toews argue with the referees on Feb. 5, 2020, at the United Center. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)Davidson said he read those comments and “that’s definitely a perspective of the player that I don’t think anyone should be surprised about. They’re in it to win that night and the next night and as soon as possible.”AdvertisementBut Davidson held fast Tuesday to the long-term goal.“We’re looking at it organizationally and building sustained success rather than getting somewhere as quickly as possible and then topping out before we really reach that level we want to get to,” he said. “If it takes a bit longer than the players wish, not everything can align perfectly with their perspectives and ours. “But we’re going to do this right, we’re going to build it the right way … and not rush anything for a quick run. We want to do this right and stay at a top level.”“If it takes a bit longer than the players wish — not everything can align perfectly with their perspectives and ours, but we’re going to do this right, we’re going to build it the right way.”—Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson on players’ beliefs about a quick rebuild pic.twitter.com/sqRpqW5eWX— Phillip Thompson (@_phil_thompson) May 3, 2022

Not surprisingly, that was the topic of the first couple of questions. Why hire former Cubs assistant GM Jeff Greenberg, who has no professional experience in hockey, as one of your top two lieutenants? Davidson named Greenberg an associate GM, the same title as Norm Maciver.Such a move would invite skepticism for even a seasoned NHL personnel chief, but it’s bonkers for a first-time GM to do it, right?AdvertisementNot the way Davidson sees it.[ [Don’t miss] Blackhawks continue sweeping changes by firing assistant coaches Marc Crawford and Rob Cookson ]“The systems and processes (baseball teams) have set up — specifically the Cubs in Jeff’s case — were things that really appealed to me and I saw great value in,” he said.Davidson wants Greenberg to break down the Hawks’ analytics — how they’re collected and disseminated — and revolutionize that process using the Cubs’ proprietary system as a template. That system played a role in the Cubs winning the 2016 World Series.“And it’s not necessarily about baseball versus hockey or what he’s going see on the ice versus anyone else in hockey,” Davidson said. “It’s more so how do they make decisions in baseball. … They’re just much more efficient in gathering information in how to synthesize and use that information based on player evaluation, on how to enhance player development.“So those are the types of things we want to bring into hockey that we don’t have right now.”“What he brings is a improvement to our decision-making process and a sophistication to our information gathering that we just don’t have right now.”—Kyle Davidson to @johndietzdh’s question about skeptics who wonder how “baseball guy” Jeff Greenberg can help the Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/lKUPk3VxbE— Phillip Thompson (@_phil_thompson) May 3, 2022

Chicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.The two franchise leaders have no choice but to go along with the rebuild — unless they want to waive their no-movement clauses and seek greener pastures.AdvertisementBut that would mean leaving the only NHL team they’ve played for. The question for Davidson is does he want to risk having a couple of Stanley Cup veterans around possibly grousing about not making the playoffs if the rebuild starts wearing on them.[ [Don’t miss] Alex DeBrincat ponders his future with the Blackhawks — as well as life without Patrick Kane or Jonathan Toews ]On the other hand, Davidson said, they bring a significant “amount of experience, the understanding of what it takes to be a good professional.”“There’s definitely a place for Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane moving forward,” he said. “I don’t think there’s any question about that.”How they’ll fit into the master plan is “part of the dialogue that we’re having and being very honest with how we see their role,” he continued, but “it’s not solved with one conversation.”Davidson made clear during those talks what to expect. He said each player’s exit interview “was the first time we talked more at length. But the message isn’t new, so it wasn’t a tough conversation. It was healthy, it was open.”