Latest news with #Sosa
Chicago Tribune
a day ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Tim Elko returns to the Chicago White Sox, who place Lenyn Sosa on the IL with a right hip flexor strain
Will Venable referred to Chicago White Sox infielder Lenyn Sosa as a 'sneaky performer.' 'He's just a guy that was in there every day and (you) kind of just look up and he's among our team leaders in all categories,' the Sox manager said Wednesday afternoon. Sosa entered Wednesday with a team-leading 55 hits. But he'll be out of the mix after going on the 10-day injured list with a right hip flexor strain. Sosa said the setback occurred while he was running in Monday's game against the Detroit Tigers at Rate Field. 'I started feeling it early in the game and as the game progressed, the pain was more intense,' Sosa said through an interpreter. 'Thank God it's nothing serious. I think (in) a week and a half, I'm going to be able to come back.' With Sosa sidelined, the Sox recalled first baseman Tim Elko from Triple-A Charlotte. 'It's been a journey and that's part of the game,' Elko, 26, said. 'I've enjoyed every minute of it. You've got to enjoy the ups and downs. Being back here definitely feels great to be with these guys and just get ready to win some games.' Elko went 5-for-31 (.161) with three home runs and five RBIs in 10 games during his first stint with the Sox from May 10-22. He said his biggest takeaways from that experience included 'trying to stay within myself, not try to do too much and just kind of see ball, hit ball.' 'I think when I was up here at the beginning, I think maybe I was overswinging a little bit, trying to do a little too much,' Elko said. '(It's) kind of just staying within myself and just trusting myself.' Elko has been a force with the Knights, ranking third in the International League in slugging percentage (.596), fourth in OPS (.984), tied for fourth in home runs (11) and 10th in batting average (.315). 'I felt really good yesterday, kind of got back in my groove and felt like myself,' Elko said of a 2-for-4 performance against Lehigh Valley. 'So glad to be back here today.' The Sox had Elko at first base and moved Miguel Vargas back to third for Wednesday's game against the Tigers. Vargas had been playing more at first after the Sox optioned Andrew Vaughn to Charlotte. Josh Rojas shifted from third to fill Sosa's spot at second. 'As we shuffle things after Sosa's injury, just kind of made sense to backfill some infield stuff, we have the flexibility to do it,' Venable said. 'We … were just talking about doing some iterations of our lineup where we do mix in Vargas at third base, just to continue to mix it in because it's such an important part of his game and he does so well. 'So now we have the opportunity to do that. We'll mix back and forth, but you'll see him at third base.' The Sox hadn't locked down a timetable for Sosa's return as of Wednesday afternoon. 'Today is a big evaluation day for him, we'll set a plan at some point today and take it day by day,' Venable said. Sosa is slashing .274/.291/.383 with four home runs, 10 doubles, 17 RBIs and 15 runs in 57 games. He has a .320 average in his last 21 games. 'I was feeling very good (at the plate),' Sosa said. He has had success with two strikes, batting .271 (29-for-107). That was the fifth-best average in the American League in those circumstances as of Wednesday afternoon. 'Just be more patient in that situation, in that count,' Sosa said of his two-strike approach. 'Because usually I like to swing at pitches out of the strike zone. That's who I am, but in that count I try to be more patient and have a better selection.' Venable said Sosa has been a 'really good performance and productive.' 'He's meant a lot to this team and solid defense at second base,' Venable said. 'We're going to miss him. He's been doing a great job, and hope he gets back soon.' The Sox made two more roster moves Wednesday, claiming pitcher Ryan Cusick off waivers from the Tigers and optioning him to Charlotte while transferring pitcher Miguel Castro to the 60-day injured list. Cusick, 25, has a 6.32 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 14 relief appearances this season between Triple-A Las Vegas in the Athletics organization and Triple-A Toledo in the Tigers system. Castro originally went on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to Thursday) with a patellar tendon tear in his right knee suffered while covering first base on May 28 against the New York Mets at Citi Field.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Today in Chicago History: Naperville native loses ‘Jeopardy!' after 32-day winning streak
Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on June 3, according to the Tribune's archives. Is an important event missing from this date? Email us. Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago) High temperature: 95 degrees (1895) Low temperature: 37 degrees (1945) Precipitation: 2.9 inches (1885) Snowfall: None 1975: Walter Payton became the then highest-paid rookie in Chicago Bears history, signing a three-year contract that would pay him at least $150,000 a year (roughly $897,000 in today's dollars). The Bears' first-round pick decided to sign with the team while fishing on property in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, owned by his attorney, Bud Holmes. Also in 1975: 'Chicago the Musical' debuted on Broadway 50 years ago. It was based on the 1926 play of the same name by former Tribune reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins. Directed by Chicago native Bob Fosse and starring Gwen Verdon, Chita Rivera and Jerry Orbach, the tale of an unfaithful wife who murders her lover then works the judicial system to secure her freedom was set against the backdrop of Prohibition and the Jazz Age. 1992: Michael Jordan dropped six 3-pointers en route to 35 first-half points during Game 1 of the NBA Finals — known as 'The Shrug' game — versus the Portland Trail Blazers and Clyde Drexler, whom some thought should have won the regular-season MVP award that Jordan captured. 2003: Chicago Cubs right fielder Sammy Sosa was ejected in the first inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays after his bat shattered on a groundout to second base and pieces of cork were found among the shards. Plate umpire Tim McClelland conferred with his crew, then ejected Sosa for using a corked bat. Sosa had 505 career home runs at that point, Tribune columnist Paul Sullivan later wrote, and many wondered how many had been hit with an illegal bat. The incident forever stained Sosa's reputation, though not as much as the belief he used steroids, which effectively has kept him out of the Hall of Fame. Column: Sammy Sosa-Chicago Cubs reunion is another Christmas miracle — ending the slugger's 20-year exile Sosa apologized 'from the bottom of my heart' after the game. He acknowledged ownership of the bat, explaining that he occasionally used it for batting practice and for home run exhibitions to entertain his fans. He said it had been inadvertently mixed in with his regular bats. Sosa was suspended for seven games and was traded after the 2004 season. He remained estranged from the Cubs until December 2024. 2019: Naperville native James Holzhauer's 'Jeopardy!' win streak ended after 32 consecutive days with total winnings of $2.46 million. The professional gambler lost to University of Chicago librarian Emma Boettcher. Q&A with 'Jeopardy!' champion James Holzhauer: On working for the Cubs, cashing in on his celebrity and changing how the game is played Holzhauer won the 'Jeopardy! Masters' tournament in 2023 for which he took home the Alex Trebek trophy and a $500,000 grand prize. Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago's past. Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Kori Rumore and Marianne Mather at krumore@ and mmather@
Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Today in Chicago History: Naperville native loses ‘Jeopardy!' after 32-day winning streak
Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on June 3, according to the Tribune's archives. Is an important event missing from this date? Email us. Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago) 1975: Walter Payton became the then highest-paid rookie in Chicago Bears history, signing a three-year contract that would pay him at least $150,000 a year (roughly $897,000 in today's dollars). The Bears' first-round pick decided to sign with the team while fishing on property in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, owned by his attorney, Bud Holmes. Also in 1975: 'Chicago the Musical' debuted on Broadway 50 years ago. It was based on the 1926 play of the same name by former Tribune reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins. Directed by Chicago native Bob Fosse and starring Gwen Verdon, Chita Rivera and Jerry Orbach, the tale of an unfaithful wife who murders her lover then works the judicial system to secure her freedom was set against the backdrop of Prohibition and the Jazz Age. 1992: Michael Jordan dropped six 3-pointers en route to 35 first-half points during Game 1 of the NBA Finals — known as 'The Shrug' game — versus the Portland Trail Blazers and Clyde Drexler, whom some thought should have won the regular-season MVP award that Jordan captured. 2003: Chicago Cubs right fielder Sammy Sosa was ejected in the first inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays after his bat shattered on a groundout to second base and pieces of cork were found among the shards. Plate umpire Tim McClelland conferred with his crew, then ejected Sosa for using a corked bat. Sosa had 505 career home runs at that point, Tribune columnist Paul Sullivan later wrote, and many wondered how many had been hit with an illegal bat. The incident forever stained Sosa's reputation, though not as much as the belief he used steroids, which effectively has kept him out of the Hall of Fame. Column: Sammy Sosa-Chicago Cubs reunion is another Christmas miracle — ending the slugger's 20-year exileSosa apologized 'from the bottom of my heart' after the game. He acknowledged ownership of the bat, explaining that he occasionally used it for batting practice and for home run exhibitions to entertain his fans. He said it had been inadvertently mixed in with his regular bats. Sosa was suspended for seven games and was traded after the 2004 season. He remained estranged from the Cubs until December 2024. 2019: Naperville native James Holzhauer's 'Jeopardy!' win streak ended after 32 consecutive days with total winnings of $2.46 million. The professional gambler lost to University of Chicago librarian Emma Boettcher. Q&A with 'Jeopardy!' champion James Holzhauer: On working for the Cubs, cashing in on his celebrity and changing how the game is playedHolzhauer won the 'Jeopardy! Masters' tournament in 2023 for which he took home the Alex Trebek trophy and a $500,000 grand prize. Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago's past.
5 days ago
- Sport
Holliday and Mateo homer as Orioles defeat White Sox 4-2 to clinch series win
BALTIMORE -- Jackson Holliday hit his first career leadoff home run, Jorge Mateo slugged his first homer of the season and the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Chicago White Sox 4-2 on Saturday. Dean Kremer (5-5) allowed one run in six innings to win his second consecutive start for Baltimore, which has won five of seven for the first time this season. The Orioles clinched their third home series victory of the season and their first since taking two of three from the New York Yankees on April 28-30. Félix Bautista earned his 10th save in 11 tries with a scoreless ninth. The White Sox (18-40) fell to 6-25 on the road and are a season-high 22 games under .500. After yielding Holliday's home run in the first, Chicago starter Davis Martin (2-6) didn't allow a hit until Ryan O'Hearn's one-double in the fourth. O'Hearn came around two batters later on Coby Mayo's RBI single — his first in the majors. And it cleared both benches. Mayo, who was called up earlier Saturday, rounded first base and got caught in a rundown. Second baseman Lenyn Sosa tossed to first baseman Miguel Vargas and Mayo collided with Sosa — appearing to try to draw an interference call — and fell as he was heading to second. Vargas tagged Mayo out, but Sosa took exception to Mayo's shove. The two were talking when Mayo picked up his helmet from the ground and then pushed Sosa in the left shoulder as he was walking away. That sent players from both teams onto the field, where there was a little pushing and shoving before order was quickly restored without incident. In the fifth, Mateo followed Dylan Carlson's one-out double by lofting a fly over the fence in center for his first homer since last June 21. Andrew Benintendi hit an RBI single in the fifth off Kremer and Mike Tauchman drove in the White Sox's other run with a single off Yennier Cano in the seventh. Kremer allowed six hits and struck out seven. He improved to 2-0 with a 1.02 ERA in three career starts against the White Sox. Martin gave up four runs in six innings. He struck out six. Bautista struck out Luis Robert Jr. and Austin Slater to escape a two-on, one-out jam in the ninth. Bautista earned saves on consecutive days for the first time since July 22-23, 2023. The right-hander missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in October 2023. Chicago RHP Adrian Houser (1-0, 0.00 ERA), who has thrown 12 scoreless innings since signing with the White Sox on May 20, starts the series finale against Baltimore RHP Charlie Morton (1-7, 7.09).
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Orioles rookie Coby Mayo sparks bench clearing with shove after first MLB RBI
Baltimore Orioles rookie Coby Mayo's first MLB RBI turned into an adventure of his own making Saturday. In his 22nd career game, the top-100 prospect finally plated a run with an RBI single to score Ryan O'Hearn from second base in the fourth inning. However, the play went sour when Chicago White Sox third baseman Josh Rojas cut off a throw from left fielder Joshua Palacios and caught Mayo trying to sneak into second base. Advertisement The play turned into a rundown between first and second. Mayo was caught quickly, and responded by giving Lenyn Sosa a hard shove before first baseman Miguel Vargas tagged him out. Both Sosa and Vargas took exception to the shove, confronting Mayo as he laid on the ground. Mayo didn't appreciate the treatment, pushing Sosa as he walked away. Cue the benches clearing. The Orioles won the game 4-2, but still sit in last place in the AL East at 21-36. Viewed charitably, the 23-year-old Mayo's shove could be seen as him attempting to draw an interference call on Sosa while running out of the baseline to avoid the tag. However, that tactic doesn't work so well when you instigate the contact with your outstretched arms, with a fielder who has run out of the basepath. Advertisement Mayo confirmed that's what he was doing after the game, via MASN's Roch Kubatko: 'Yeah, obviously, just trying to get to second base and trying to get into scoring position for Heston [Kjerstad]," Mayo said. "Cuts it off and got into a rundown. Obviously, just being told in the minor leagues to try to stay in a rundown, and I thought he was in the base line and trying to get some contact. Didn't mean for it to escalate. I wasn't trying to do that. It just did. 'The guys always have your back. I think everyone in here will fight for one another — not literally, but, you know, everyone has each other's back. I think that's just what happened. Looking out for teammates, and we'll do the same thing for them.' Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino provided a little more detail behind the play, but ultimately agreed with the umps for not buying Mayo's attempt: "Now he's an infielder, right? So when we're in spring training talking about rundowns, one of the things that we constantly talk about with our infielders is not crossing the line because if there's contact with the infielder then it's ... I think they call it a Type 2 obstruction, and then you automatically get second base. "So, I think instinctually Coby kind of sought out the contact right there with the infielder, which, visually, it probably didn't look the best but I think most coaches will probably go, 'Not a bad baseball play.' Just didn't work [in] our favor. Umpire made a good call.' This ... is not how you draw an interference call in the big leagues. Coby Mayo gave it a try. (Photo by) (Mitchell Layton via Getty Images) Ultimately, it was a rookie moment for a player whose career hasn't started off on the best foot. Mayo is one of the shinier prospects in the Orioles' youth movement — MLB Pipeline ranked him as the No. 14 prospect in baseball entering the season — but he entered Saturday hitting .094/.186/.094 in 59 plate appearances between 2024 and 2025. Mayo, whose power is graded as plus-plus by Pipeline, is still waiting for his first extra-base hit in the big leagues. He has every opportunity to become an everyday player in the Orioles' infield, as soon as he starts hitting like he has in the minors. Unfortunately, even his first RBI showed he still has some learning to do.
