White Sox’ pitching coach Don Cooper is concerned about pitcher Michael Kopech’s decision to not play baseball this season. The decision remains a mystery because the young flamethrower hasn’t spoken to Cooper or his teammates. Cooper says he hopes Kopech is ok because the right-hander has dealt with anxiety and depression. The pitcher has been open about his mental health struggles in the past.
Also in Major league Baseball, The Atlanta Braves aren’t planning a name change, but say they will review the tomahawk chop. The Braves’ stance comes after the Cleveland Indians recently said they would consider a change to their nickname.
The Blackhawks are set to face the Oilers next month. The two teams begin their best-of-five Qualifying Round series on August 1st in Edmonton, Alberta, the hub city for all 12 Western Conference teams in the 2020 Stanley Cup Qualifiers. Training camps open up at home venues for all 24 teams taking part in the playoff tournament.
The NBA begins its first full week in the Walt Disney World bubble in Orlando. The 22 teams invited to play reported to Florida last week. After several days of quarantine, teams began practicing over the weekend. The regular season restart is on July 30th.
NFL players around the league will learn more today about whether they’ll be reporting to camp in a few weeks. The league and union will reportedly discuss return to work terms. The players want daily testing and no preseason. The league favors testing on alternate days and two preseason games.
The Washington Redskins will be changing their nickname. The team will make an official announcement about the move this morning, but the new name won’t yet be revealed due to pending trademark issues
The Chicago Fire face off against the Seattle Sounders tomorrow morning in the MLS is Back tournament in Orlando, Florida. Chicago hasn’t played since battling to a 1-1 draw vs New England on March 7th.
In Golf, Collin Morikawa outlasted Justin Thomas in a three-hole playoff to win the Workday Charity Open Sunday in Dublin, Ohio. He made a 24-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole and parred the next two to take home his second career win in just 24 starts.
Rookie Cole Custer won the NASCAR Cup Series race at Kentucky Speedway. Martin Truex Junior finished second and Matt DiBenedetto was third. The next NASCAR Cup event will be the All-Star Race Wednesday night at Bristol Speedway with spectators.