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White Sox Farquhar Faints In Dugout, Sent To Hospital

Danny Farquhar #43 of the Chicago White Sox pitches against the Minnesota Twins during the seventh inning in game one of a doubleheader on August 21, 2017 at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois.(Photo credit: David Banks/Getty Images North America via Zimbio)

It was a frightening moment in the White Sox dugout when relief-pitcher Danny Farquhar passed out after pitching the sixth inning. Ballpark video captured the moment as a horde of Sox staff huddled around Farguhar to provide assistance.

Farquhar received treatment from EMTs and White Sox medical personnel and was taken to Rush University Medical Center for further treatment and evaluation. The White Sox issued a quick statement via Twitter to assuage concerns after Farquhar regained consciousness. This story will be updated with information as it becomes available.

Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune gathered a few quotes from the clubhouse after the game to see how the players and coaches felt while this incident played out.

Rick Renteria:

“It takes your breath away a little bit. One of your guys is down there and you have no idea what’s going on. The medical staff was there right away the whole time and they called into the EMTs, and somebody was already caring for him before they even got up.”

James Shields:

“That was pretty scary, to be honest with you. I don’t really know the full extent of the situation to be honest with you. I do know he wasn’t conscious when he left here. But from what I’m hearing right now, he’s responding to questions and they’re doing some further tests right now. So we’re all praying for him.”

Aaron Bummer:

“A lot of us just came in from the game and we’re trying to kind of process everything that happened. We’re going to talk to some of the trainers and see what’s going on. We just hope he’s doing OK and is with us tomorrow.”

White Sox Update Rodon, Hansen, Robert Recoveries

White Sox left-handed pitcher Carlos Rodon. (Photo credit: Chicago Tribune)

As the White Sox continue their depressing skid against the Houston Astros there is cause for optimism as several prospects and big leaguers build their way off the DL.

Carlos Rodon has suffered consecutive seasons with arm trouble resulting in shoulder surgery over the winter. Rodon snuck in the back door at Guaranteed Rate Field on Friday night and addressed the media and his recovery head-on.

“It is tough, not starting the season off with the boys,” Rodon told the media on Friday. “It’s definitely frustrating. No one likes to be injured, for the team and for the fans. … Sometimes it’s part of the process, as dumb as that sounds. It really is true. It’s a different kind of feeling this year knowing more so what’s going on.”

The southpaw’s frustration has been evident since last season when he was sidelined with biceps bursitis that pestered him even after returning to the rotation. As a competitor, Rodon’s chagrin is understandable and the fact that he has come to terms with the process of healing demonstrates maturity. Based on Rodon’s bulldog mentality if the White Sox medical staff would clear him to play today he’d probably run straight to the mound, but Rick Hahn answered the questions about timelines.

“Time tables’s the same as it’s always been,” Rick Hahn told the media. “I think the earliest he can come back is May, early June. I think the earliest he can come back is May 28 because we put  him on the 60-day, so it’ll be after that date.”

According to Hahn, Rodon will throw a side or two while in Chicago for Don Cooper and Curt Hasler and then head back to Glendale, Arizona to make a few starts in extended Spring Training. If everything goes smoothly, Rodon could start the minor-league portion of his rehab assignments by mid-May.

Alec Hansen

Hahn also addressed Alec Hansen’s recovery from forearm muscular discomfort. Hanson led the minor leagues in strikeouts last season and had elevated his stock among White Sox prospects after imploding before the 2016 draft. “He’s on a throwing program in Arizona,” Hahn said during a media scrum before Friday’s game. “He’s obviously behind Carlos in that he’s not ready to start pitching in extended games.”

Considering Hanson’s forearm infirmity was supposed to be a minor setback, it is concerning his return has taken so long. However, Hahn is not too concerned. “There is no worry,” Hahn explained. “This is a forearm muscle issue similar to something he apparently went through previously in high school. At least you have a player who’s comfortable knowing where he’s at and knowing that he’s been able to bounce back from this before.”

With this extended setback, Hanson may not reach his assignment at Double-A until mid-summer. This should give White Sox fans pause because Hanson was just settling into his mechanics, something not altogether simple for a man of his physical stature. Hanson is a long six-foot-eight with lanky limbs that are difficult to tame. Such a long period of rest could erode some of the progress he’s made.

Luis Robert

Luis Robert will be reevaluated by the team physician in Chicago next week and soon thereafter report to extended Spring Training. Robert had a pin removed from his hand earlier in April and has spent time rehabbing with the Winston-Salem Dash, his intended destination once fully recovered.

Fans are in a frenzy to see the White Sox 20-year-old phenom from Cuba who signed with the Southsiders last summer. When Robert joins the Dash it will be his professional debut in the U.S.

VIDEO: Kyle Schwarber Breaks Game Wide Open With 50th Career HR

It might be the Javier Baez show tonight against the Colorado Rockies, but it was Kyle Schwarber who put the finishing touches to the Chicago Cubs blowout, hitting his 50th career home run Friday night.

Schwarber just missed a homer earlier in the game, but then he went back to straight away center field and got it out in the sixth inning, giving the Cubs a 12-3 lead, capping off a seven-run rally.

Finally some run support for Kyle Hendricks.

VIDEO: Cubs Fans Fill Coors Field With Javier Baez Chants And It Will Give You Goosebumps

Who knows, maybe it is just a hot streak and a few weeks Javier Baez is back to swinging and missing at sliders in the dirt, but holy crap has he been awesome.

Baez is 3-for-3, so far tonight and his sixth home run that he hit in the first inning wasn’t even his best display of electricity. In the fifth inning, he smacked what looked like would be a simple single, but Baez was aggressive and legged it out for a double.

Then, on a grounder hit to the right of Baez, he was aggressive again, advancing to third. He was called out initially, but after video review he was rightfully called safe.

That’s when Cubs fans filled Coors Field with Javy chants and I don’t know why, but it gave me goosebumps.

Is this his arrival? Is Javier Baez on the verge of becoming a star? I don’t know, but damn has been a joy to watch and this moment was awesome.

The most electric player in the sport since his very first game.

UPDATE

He’s 4-for-4

Ranking the 5 Most Likely Picks for The Bears at #8

chicago bears

The Chicago Bears are in top off-season form. They’ve done a masterful job yet again of completely hiding what their intentions are for the #8 overall pick. Everybody has an opinion but none have solid evidence to go on. Just rumor. The Bears will trade back. No, they’ll trade up. No, they’ll take a defensive player. Don’t be ridiculous, it’s offensive line all the way.

Dig through forums, chat groups and social media enough and everybody has differing stances. So perhaps the best thing to do is arrange the players who are either connected to the Bears or make the most sense for them and rank them in order of most likely to be selected. Get ready for a surprise (or two).

LIKELIEST CHICAGO BEARS PICK AT 8TH OVERALL

#5:  Quenton Nelson (OG, Notre Dame)

How can this guy only be #5? Rest assured Nelson isn’t placed here because of talent. Measurements and tape prove that he might be the best guard prospect to come out of college in decades. He’s a monster with size, fluidity and raw power that breaks almost every defensive lineman he comes across. Not to mention his nasty disposition.

This has everything to do with whether or not he’ll even be available. Nelson is widely considered one of the two or three best prospects in the entire draft. A number of teams in the top seven have needs along the offensive line including New York (#2), Denver (#5) and Indianapolis (#6). The odds of him slipping to Chicago through all that is remote.

#4:  Derwin James (S, Florida State)

“Absolute alpha in the locker room. Comes up to handle film sessions on weekends. When he talks, players listen.”

That was in the NFL.com scouting report on James. It’s clear he takes the leadership and mental side of the game seriously. Throw in the fact he’s 6’2″ with 33-inch arms and 4.46 speed. This kid is a monster waiting to be unleashed. Oh and he was compared to Eric Berry, somebody Matt Nagy is quite familiar with. No disrespect to Adrian Amos, but James’ talent and ceiling far surpasses him. He sounds like a player Ryan Pace would instantly gravitate to.

#3:  Roquan Smith (ILB, Georgia)

One must not forget. Christian Jones is gone. Jerrell Freeman is gone. Danny Trevathan has a long and lengthy list of injuries in his history. This defense relies on its inside linebackers a lot. When it’s got good talent in place, as it did in San Francisco, domination can follow. When it doesn’t? Things tend to sag in other areas. Is Nick Kwiatkoski ready to step up?

Teammates seem to think so. He’s gained experience the past couple years and flashed potential. Still, it’s hard not to feel like the Bears might be taking a step down. That would cease the moment they grabbed Roquan Smith. He proved throughout last season to be a hunter. Arguably the best defensive player in college football. He’s fast, athletic, instinctive and just finds the football. Keep blockers off him? He’ll make life miserable for offenses.

#2:  Denzel Ward (CB, Ohio State)

Pre-draft buzz has connected Ward to the Bears for weeks now. He’s the consensus cornerback in the 2018 class. A fluid athlete with top tier speed who shows on tape that he can stick to any receiver like glue and make plays on the ball if tested too often. No team can ever have enough good corners, especially in a division stacked with quarterbacks.

If he were 2-3 inches taller he’d likely be #1. Ward is only 5’10”. Everybody knows that defensive coordinator Vic Fangio covets corners who bring size and length. Small defensive backs tend to get beaten by bigger receivers but also struggle to stay healthy. Just look at Bryce Callahan. Still, with Prince Amukamara approaching 30, this move makes sense.

#1:  Harold Landry (EDGE, Boston College)

Let’s set the backdrop here. The Bears have two, count them, two edge rushers on their roster with any significant starting experience. One, Leonard Floyd, is coming off a season-ending knee injury. The other, Aaron Lynch, has 2.5 sacks in the past two years and just tweaked his ankle in a minicamp practice. After that? Not much.

Worse still? The edge rusher crop in 2018 is considered thin. Any team that waits until the later rounds to get one will be disappointed. People think Harold Landry lacks size and length. Both are true to some extent, but Pace likes athletes. Landry proved at the combine he has the specific traits of a successful NFL pass rusher. He’s drawn close comparisons to Pro Bowler Vic Beasley. He should be available when they go on the clock.

Everything points to him.

Eddie Butler Has Another Horrible Outing, Immediately Put On The DL

Eddie Butler’s had an interesting 2018 season with the Chicago Cubs. He won a bullpen spot after Justin Grimm was let go an then pitched seven relief innings, his longest career outing, in the second game of the year. Now, after a terrible game against the St. Louis Cardinals, the Cubs have placed Butler on the 10-day disabled list.

Taking Butler’s spot in the bullpen is 26-year-old righty Luke Farrell.

So, Butler had his great relief performance against the Miami Marlins, pitching seven innings, allowing four hits and unfortunately got tagged with the loss after he departed the game. However, after two scoreless outings, Butler allowed at least one run in each of his last three appearances. Thursday’s against the Cardinals was the last straw for now at least.

Butler came in the seventh inning, when the Cubs were up 8-1, and he walked the leadoff hitter. Following a single to right field and an infield single to load the bases, Butler walked in a run and that sealed his day. He was charged with four runs, three earned, after failing to record a single out.

Now, he’s gone for at least 10 days.

Farrell made his MLB debut with the Kansas City Royals in 2017, making one start that only lasted 2.2 innings. He then pitched with the Cincinnati Reds, making nine appearances from the bullpen. Farrell had a 2.61 ERA and 1.16 WHIP, striking out seven and walking seven in 10.1 innings.

The righty was a sixth-round draft pick by the Royals in 2013, out of Northwestern. Farrell has started 86 games in the minors, pitching in 106 overall, while recording a 4.46 ERA in 511 innings.

In 2017, Farrell had a 4.78 ERA in 116.2 innings on three different Triple-A teams. He made two starts with Triple-A Iowa this season before getting called up prior to this weekend’s series against the Colorado Rockies.

Farrell pitched 10.2 innings, striking out 11, walking three, giving up 13 hits and seven earned runs with the Iowa Cubs in his two starts.

Matt Nagy Won’t Stop The Kevin White Love, In Fact He Doubled Down

kevin white

Any self-respecting Chicago Bears fan knows about Kevin White by now. The seventh overall pick of the 2015 draft. He was supposed to take over for Brandon Marshall who’d been traded to the Jets that off-season. There was so much potential. He had a big, thick 6’3″ frame and blazing 4.35 speed. The kid looked like a monster.

Sadly the story hasn’t had a happy ending. White suffered a fracture in his leg before he ever saw the field as a rookie. The next year he made it through four games before suffering a similar fracture in the opposite leg. Then, as if his luck weren’t bad enough, on opening day a big hit cause a fracture in his shoulder blade on opening day.

He’s fast become one of the biggest busts in recent Bears history. The fact it’s come due to injuries and not just poor play makes it sting all the more. Neither he nor the fans have gotten a chance to see what he can really do. The good news? He seems to still have allies in the building, with the newest one being his head coach.

Matt Nagy uncompromising in his belief Kevin White is salvageable

Few men are bigger believers in second chances than new Bears head coach Matt Nagy. He wouldn’t be where he is today without one. His football career was over 10 years ago. He was ready to get into real estate when an old friend gave him a chance to coach in Philadelphia. Nagy took it. A decade later he’s running his own franchise.

So it’s only natural he’d have sympathy for someone like White. Yet it seems to go beyond that. In the short time they’ve been together, Nagy has become a believer.

“Yeah, you need to stack (practices),” Nagy said. “He needs to do that. There’s going to be those days where there’s a mental error that he has or several mental errors that he has or a couple dropped balls or a missed assignment. And that’s the mentality that we right now as a staff have with these guys. That’s OK.

He’s a kid (whose) confidence hasn’t been where it needs to be. But what I can tell you is that from what I’ve seen so far, if I was somebody that was coming into this building and facility that didn’t know anything about him, you’d never in a million years know it from what we’ve seen recently.”

It’s hard to take an optimistic view on White given what’s happened.

Still, he’s 25-years old and his legs have had two years to recover. Videos posted have him running with a speed and quickness he simply didn’t show last year. With a far superior offensive staff in place, led by Nagy, he may finally be in a position to get at least something from his vast athletic talent.

It also seems he’s forged a genuine connection with quarterback Mitch Trubisky. Being on the good side of the ball who decides where the football goes is never a bad thing. White has lots of competition this year. Far more than seasons past. At the same time, there isn’t as much pressure to perform. Maybe that’s what he needs now.

12 Thoughts On The Bears’ 2018 Schedule

Credit: ATHLITACOMICS

The NFL’s annual official schedule release is one of the most anticipated days on the NFL calendar. Fans get to see when and where their favorite team will be playing later that fall, and annual road trip planning commences.

The opponents have been known since the 2017 NFL season ended, but yesterday evening, we got official word on dates and times of each game that will be played in 2018.

The Chicago Bears released this epic video to accompany the NFL schedule release. Watch it below:

Awesome, right? Though I’m not really feeling that new logo …

Anyway, here’s the Bears’ 2018 schedule in non-video format:

Here are my thoughts on the 2018 schedule:

1. Chicago opens up at Green Bay on NBC’s Sunday Night Football. What an introduction for head coach Matt Nagy, huh? The first game of his head coaching, and Bears, career will be at Lambeau Field, in prime time, while the rival Packers celebrate their 100th anniversary.

There are rumors that the Packers requested to host the Bears for their home opener, and if that’s the case, the NFL clearly obliged. As I’m sure Nagy already knows, if there is a single game that must be won on this schedule in Bears fans’ minds, it’s this one. Welcome to Chicago, Coach. You get to unveil your new operation to all of America to kick things off.

2. The NFL must think the Bears are a pretty sexy team if they follow up Week 1 by having Nagy’s home opener in prime time, too. The Bears will host the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football in Week 2. The Seahawks aren’t the same team they once were, but they are still dangerous. The Bears better get their EDGE situation settled before having to take on the pesky Russell Wilson on the Soldier Field turf.

3. The Mike Glennon Revenge Game in Arizona comes in Week 3 … Aren’t you excited? Even a little bit?

4. I’m not a fan of having the BYE week so early. The Bears have had good fortune in recent years with their off week falling near or at mid-season. But this year, the BYE falls on Week 5, which isn’t ideal, especially for a team that has struggled to stay healthy. This will be something to watch.

5. The Dowell Loggains Revenge Game will be fun! But in reality, the Dolphins just aren’t a very good team. I think the Bears will have a pretty easy time in Miami. Keep in mind, they’ll also be beating another former OC on that trip: Dolphins’ head coach Adam Gase.

6. In Week 7, Tom Brady makes his (I’m assuming) final visit to Soldier Field. The Patriots have blown the Bears out in each of their last two meetings: 36-7 at Soldier Field in 2010, and 51-21 at Gillette Stadium in 2014.

Remember, the Kansas City Chiefs blew out the Patriots on Opening Night last year in New England, and it was Nagy’s offense that shot up and down the field with ease. This is certainly not the same chess match (or rematch, I should say), but it’ll be fun to watch regardless.

7. It’s a bit odd that Chicago is playing the entire AFC East portion of their schedule consecutively. I can’t recall the last time the Bears, or any team, played one of their “other division” slates all in a row. Interesting quirk.

8. The Bears will have a chance to make some noise in the NFC North with three straight division games. The Bears went winless in the division last season, and need to turn that around to have any shot at respectability in Year 1 under Nagy. Hosting the Lions and Vikings in Week 10 and 11 respectively is a chance to get started on the right foot. Then, they make their way to Detroit for Thanksgiving to close the three consecutive weeks of NFC North action. Speaking of Detroit on Thanksgiving Day …

9. … That will be fun. The Lions host the “morning” Thanksgiving Day game at Ford Field annually, and this year, they take on the Bears.

The last time Chicago played on Thanksgiving, they ruined Brett Favre Night at Lambeau Field, shocking the Packers in prime time in 2015. That was Jay Cutler’s first and only win in Green Bay.

The last time the Bears played the Lions on Thanksgiving, they got crushed 38-17. On a side note — Allen Robinson is from Detroit. So this will be a fun homecoming for him.

10. Chicago closes the season with a brutal four game stretch: At home against the Rams and Packers, and then on the road against San Francisco and Minnesota. Even if the Bears are “in the hunt” after Week 13, their hopes could be killed during this stretch. For what it’s worth, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bears won two of these four games. But I think it’s too early for them to close the deal.

11. Depending on how the Bears are doing throughout the season, keep on eye on the following games to potentially be flexed into prime time:  vs. Patriots, vs. Vikings, vs. Rams, vs. Packers, at 49ers (if they’re playing well), and at Vikings.

12. For what it’s worth, my way-too-early season prediction:

Cubs Opening Homestand Review

Well, at least it ended on a positive note, right?

The Cubs 3-4 homestand featured four postponements, two of which still need to be made up later in the season. The starting pitching wasn’t good enough, the offense wasted too many opportunities, and the bullpen finally stumbled.

It wasn’t all bad, the homestand did feature an 8 run comeback win and a pair of slaughters against divisional rivals. Still, we should expect much more from this team at some point in the coming weeks.

THE GOOD:

Javy Baez

Even though he spent parts of four seasons in the major leagues entering 2018, Javy really is still a kid. At 25 he’s just entering his prime, which is such a pleasing thought considering what he has already accomplished. So far, he’s off to the best start of his career and the highlights have already been plentiful.

Javy followed up his 2-homer home opener with two more dongs in the Cubs next contest. He leads the team with five to go along with his team-leading #swag.

Brandon Morrow

Closer was a question mark in some people’s eyes heading into the season. The injury concerns were fair, and, although I dispute them, many folks simply don’t trust a relievers closing abilities until they actually see them produce in the ninth inning, regardless of what a player’s stuff looks like if he’s pitched primarily in earlier innings.

Morrow has yet to give up an earned run in seven appearances this year, giving up just four baserunners and striking out six over six innings with three saves. If his stuff continues to look as filthy as it has been, the Cubs closer will be just fine.

THE BAD:

Starting Pitching

Before Jon Lester delivered the team’s only quality start of the homestand in yesterday’s 8-5 win over the Cardinals, the Cubs’ staff ranked 28th in the league in WAR and had the highest walk rate. The Cubs starting rotation was the rock of the 2016 championship team, highlighted their poor 2017 start, and solidified the 2017 division title push. The rotation is what will drive this team (or any team for that matter) to success.

With the next six games in Coors Field and then against a dangerous Cleveland lineup, the next turn through the rotation probably won’t look much better than it has the first three. When the Cubs return to Wrigley at the end of the month, hopefully the rotation we expected to see returns as well.

Ian Happ

The Ian Happ lead-off experiment is likely on hold for now, which may be an especially bad sign considering Ben Zobrist is dealing with a back flare up.

The 23-year-old outfielder had our minds spinning at what this offense’s full potential could be with Happ setting the table. Happ’s Spring Training dominance and his season-opening dinger have not carried over though, leaving the offense and outfield alignment in a bit of a predicament.

Happ boasts just a .264 OBP and has struck out 25 times in 53 plate appearances and he looks lost. I don’t think it’s fair to send him to the minors yet, especially since you don’t know how a young player will handle a demotion like that, but it’s definitely time to let Zobrist lead off more and let Almora play more Center Field.

Happ will get more opportunities, opportunities that could lead to him being an everyday player and leadoff hitter by season’s end. For now, though, it’s time for him to take a backseat.

 

 

White Sox Take Lead In Environmentally Conscious Concessions

Ocean Sea Turtle tries to swim while tangled in a plastic net. (Photo credit: Francis Perez from The Ocean Cleanup website)

The Chicago White Sox announced on Thursday in a press release that they are ending the use of plastic straws at Guaranteed Rate Field for the remainder of the 2018 season. Concessionaires are on board with the effort to #SheddTheStraw introduced in 2017 by Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium. Starting on Sunday, April 22 patrons at White Sox games will not be served beverages with plastic straws, rather they must request a biodegradable straw.

Save The Seals

If you are too inconvenienced by this move than you probably club baby seals. The White Sox are the first major league team to eliminate plastic straws from the ballpark and it is an environmentally conscious move with immediate impacts. Plastic is a man-made, non-biodegradable substance that stubbornly exists forever. Despite their chemical makeup, plastic straws are incredibly difficult to recycle and eventually end up in our waterways.

Such mass disposal of waste has created an enormous ocean-bound landfill called the Pacific Garbage Patch. The nefarious collection of refuse is a toxic attraction for marine wildlife and poses health threats to humans as well. Surface debris confuses many aquatic species as easy prey and cycles its way through the food chain to humans who consume fish and other seafood.

According to The Ocean Cleanup, 700 species have encountered marine debris, 92 percent them with plastic. Sea Turtles are particularly vulnerable since they are migratory surface-feeders and TOC has found instances where 74 percent of the fluttering sea creatures’ diets are composed of ocean plastics. Besides sealife consuming plastics that eventually reach human stomachs, Sea Turtles and other species are vulnerable to ensnaring themselves in tangled plastic nets and the all too common plastic soda-can rings.

Squirt Needs Your Help

A recent report published in March 2018 explains that 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic weighing 80 metric tons is currently drifting off the Pacific coast of California and it is rapidly expanding.

By adopting the initiative with Shepp Aquarium the White Sox alone will keep 215,000 straws from being flushed into our waterways.

In a press release from the White Sox media relations department Dr. Bridget Coughlin, president and CEO of Shedd Aquarium shared her thoughts on the Southsiders’ willingness to take the lead.

“Earth Day is a moment each year for the world to stop and consider how we impact our planet and the ways we can protect it. We commend the White Sox for helping us highlight small changes like ‘Shedding the Straw’ that can make a huge impact for the health of our oceans, lakes and rivers. We are proud to stand as a partner for organizations and individuals looking for ways they can help aquatic animals.”

Brooks Boyer, White Sox senior vice president of sales and marketing added, “we are thrilled to team up with Shedd Aquarium and help lead by example in the way of sustainability within our gameday operations. We are honored to be the first ballpark to take the step of reducing our single-use plastic straws for nearly a full season, but we certainly hope that we will not be the last as there is more work to be done to protect our environment.” Boyer praised Delaware North Sportservice, Gibson’s ChiSox Bar & Grill and Levy for their cooperation in this initiative.

Shedd experts will be available at the White Sox game against the Astros on Sunday to share educational materials with fans and handle giveaways. Sunday marks the second year for #SheddTheStraw and sends a positive message for Earth-Day celebrations.