MIAMI (AP) — Duncan Robinson anotó 12 de sus 21 puntos en el último cuarto, Tyler Herro sumó 20 unidades y el Heat de Miami se alejó para vencer 117-105 a los 76ers de Filadelfia el lunes por la noche.
Kel’el Ware tuvo 19 tantos y 17 rebotes para el Heat, y Davion Mitchell aportó 12 puntos y nueve asistencias.
Quentin Grimes y Lonnie Walker IV anotaron 29 cada uno para Filadelfia, que perdió su 12do partido consecutivo. Adem Bona anotó 16 puntos y capturó 11 rebotes para los 76ers.
Miami (36-43) está ahora a medio juego de Chicago (36-42) en la carrera por la novena posición en el Este; esos dos equipos se enfrentarán el miércoles.
El Heat está a 1,5 juegos detrás del número ocho Atlanta (37-41) y a 2,5 detrás del número siete Orlando (38-40).
Miami no contó con Bam Adebayo (espasmos en la espalda), Kevin Love (personal) y Andrew Wiggins (isquiotibial derecho). El Heat ha jugado 30 partidos desde que adquirió a Wiggins; se ha perdido 15 de ellos.
___
Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
BOSTON (AP) — George Springer bateó tres sencillos productores, José Berríos lanzó siete entradas permitiendo solo una carrera y los Azulejos vencieron 6-2 a los Medias Rojas de Boston en una fría y brumosa noche de lunes en Fenway Park.
El dominicano Vladimir Guerrero Jr. conectó dos sencillos y anotó una carrera en su primer juego después de acordar un contrato de 500 millones de dólares por 14 años con Toronto, que fue barrido en una serie de tres juegos contra los Mets durante el fin de semana.
Will Wagner añadió un sencillo impulsador, y el venezolano Andrés Giménez realizó un elevado de sacrificio y robó dos bases antes de anotar desde segunda cada vez con un sencillo de dos outs de Springer, quien bateó cuatro sencillos.
Después de barrer una doble cartelera contra San Luis el domingo, los Medias Rojas vieron interrumpida su racha de cinco victorias consecutivas. El dominicano Rafael Devers bateó un elevado de sacrificio y Triston Casas un sencillo productor.
El boricua Berríos (1-1) permitió cuatro imparables, otorgó tres bases por bolas y ponchó a dos, dando a los Azulejos su octava apertura consecutiva permitiendo tres carreras o menos.
Richard Fitts (0-2) permitió tres carreras en seis entradas.
El receptor de los Red Sox, Connor Wong, salió del juego con una mano izquierda magullada después de ser sancionado por interferencia del receptor una entrada antes.
Por los Azulejos, el dominicano Vladimir Guerrero Jr. bateó de 4-2 con una carrera anotada; el mexicano Alejandro Kirk de 5-2; y los venezolanos Anthony Santander de 4-1 con una anotada y Andrés Giménez de 2-0 con dos anotadas y una producida.
Por los Medias Rojas, el dominicano Rafael Devers de 3-0 con una impulsada.
___
Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
High school and local college results and highlights from the Southland, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and Lake County coverage areas.
Email Daily Southtown results to southtownsports@gmail.com, Beacon-News, Courier-News and Naperville Sun results to tribwestsports@gmail.com and News-Sun results to newssunsports@gmail.com.
MONDAY’S RESULTS
HIGH SCHOOLS
BASEBALL
Bartlett 5, Streamwood 0
Brother Rice 22, Leo 2 (4 innings)
Elgin 10, Larkin 0 (5 innings)
Elgin (3-3, 1-0 Upstate Eight): Ivan Magdaleno no-hitter, 8 Ks. Briar Dekarske 2-for-3, 2 runs, 2 RBIs. Jacob Ruffino 3-for-4, double, 2 runs, RBI.
Loyola 7, Marmion 6
Marmion (7-5-1): Kevin Schultz 2-for-4, double, run, 2 RBIs. Charlie Zebig 2 runs.
Marian Central Catholic 11, St. Edward 1 (5 innings)
Reavis 4, Eisenhower 3
Reavis (6-4, 1-0 SSC Red): Dennis Muraida 6 IP, ER, 10 Ks. Isaac Velasco double, run, RBI. Tino Villagomez run, RBI.
Eisenhower (3-5, 0-1): Adrian Torres 2-for-3, double, 2 RBIs.
Westminster Christian 6, Schaumburg Christian 1
Westminster Christian (3-6, 1-2 Northeastern Athletic): Elias Vaagen 2-for-3, run, 2 RBIs. Zach Gurley 2-for-3, run, RBI.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Chicago Christian d. Illiana Christian (Ind.) 25-21, 27-25
Conant d. Streamwood 25-18, 25-20
Deerfield d. Warren 25-17, 25-22
Lake Zurich d. Grant 25-13, 25-12
Lake Zurich (4-0): Gabe Schwartz 9 kills. Konrad Bochonko 6 kills. Wyatt Jones 12 assists. Yani Oblakov 12 assists.
Her mom was a standout softball player at Stagg who went on to a successful college career at Illinois-Chicago.
Her dad was a standout baseball player at Sandburg who went on to a successful college career at St. Xavier.
It would figure to be a no-brainer that Mia Degliomini
grew up dreaming about being a dominator on the diamond for Lincoln-Way Central.
Nope. Not even in her wildest ones. Not for a while, anyway.
“At first, I actually didn’t want to,” Degliomini said. “When I was little, I did gymnastics. But I had some cousins who played in rec ball, and when I saw them I thought, ‘I really want to do this.’”
As a starting sophomore outfielder, Degliomini is feeling right at home for the Knights (6-0).
Degliomini is among the early Southland leaders in batting with a .545 average. She’s at the top of the team’s chart with four stolen bases while also scoring six runs.
Ask Lincoln-Way Central coach Jeff Tarala
about what dynamic she brings and he talks in plurals.
“That’s a great word — dynamic,” Tarala said, breaking into a smile. “She’s extremely dynamic. She’s incredibly fast. She grinds out at-bats. She’ll find a way to foul pitches off and look for better ones. She’ll take walks. She can bunt. She can slap.
“We’ve been missing for a while in this program a grit and a toughness. We feel Mia provides that for us. She’s a hard-nosed player, a tough player. She’s a five-tool player, and she’s just a sophomore.”
Lincoln-Way Central’s Mia Degliomini, right, works on her throwing form during practice in New Lenox on Monday, April 7, 2025. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)
Mia is the daughter of Joey Degliomini
and Abby Booth Degliomini
. Abby Booth, a 1997 graduate, helped Stagg reach state in three straight seasons from 1995 to 1997. She’s a teacher at the Palos Hills school. Joey went to state with Sandburg during his junior season in 1996.
On top of that, her aunt, Jen (Degliomini) Sievers
, was also a standout player at Sandburg from 1992 to 1996 and played at state.
What a family legacy to follow.
“Yeah, I get told about how good my mom was a lot by family members,” Mia said, laughing. “I think it’s really cool that my mom was such a good player and I have someone like her to look up to and follow in her footsteps.”
As a freshman, Degliomini played on the varsity last season for the Knights. She was primarily a courtesy runner for pitcher Isabella Dimitrijevic
. But Tarala gave her one start she’ll never forget.
“We played her against Stagg because it was her mom’s alma mater,” Tarala said. “She absolutely tore ’em up, dominated in that game.”
Lincoln-Way Central’s Mia Degliomini work on her bunting technique during practice in New Lenox on Monday, April 7, 2025. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)
Degliomini went 3-for-3 with two stolen bases, a triple and two RBIs.
“When I was put in that game, I just took the opportunity and did my best,” Degliomini said. “I didn’t ask to play, but I know a lot of people from Stagg and my mom works there, too. It was fun.”
Degliomini faced a tougher challenge during the offseason. She was playing with Lincoln-Way Central teammate Ellie McLaughlin
on their travel team during a tournament in Florida when she suffered a torn meniscus in her right knee.
“A ball was hit down the line and I went to stop it,” Degliomini said. “My knee went straight backward. It kind of popped a little bit, but it was super sharp pain. My dad told me everybody in the park could have heard me crying.”
Sure, but before the tears …
Lincoln-Way Central’s Mia Degliomini wears a knee brace before practice in New Lenox on Monday, April 7, 2025. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)
“She still got up and fielded the ball and threw it back in,” McLaughin said. “She played through it. It was hard what happened, but she’s strong and she’s upbeat. I knew she’d push through it.”
Degliomini worked hard through six weeks of rehab. And when the 2025 season began, she was ready to run. Lincoln-Way West found out about that during an April 3 game.
“At one point, Mia stole second base,” Tarala said. “Then I just gave her a look to tell her, ‘Hey, take a look if they’re not paying attention.’”
On the next pitch, Degliomini stole third.
“She’s smart like that,” Tarala said. “She’s a game-changer, a difference-maker.”
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
The St. Charles Public Library will present a genealogy program called “Archives Research and How to Use Basic Resources Found There” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15, at the library, 1 S. Sixth Ave. in St. Charles.
Professional genealogist Laura Street Chaplin will explore the history of archives, including the types of archives and the roles they play, as well as how they’re organized and how to find and access their holdings using catalogs, databases, finding aids and digital collections, according to a press release about the event.
She will also discuss how to plan your own archives research trip.
To register for the event, go to scpld.org or call 630-584-0076.
Yorkville church to hold rummage and bake sale
The spring rummage and bake sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 11, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 12, at Yorkville Congregational United Church of Christ, 409 Center Parkway in Yorkville.
A wide selection of household goods, kitchen items, linens, toys, games, books, clothing for all ages, shoes, furniture, tools, holiday decor, collectibles, jewelry and more will be available, event organizers said in a press release.
A popular tradition of the two-day event is the bake sale, featuring a wide assortment of home-baked items which sell out quickly, according to the release.
Saturday is Bag Day when shoppers can fill a provided, brown paper grocery bag for $3. Remaining, larger items that do not fit in a grocery bag may be purchased at half price, organizers said.
Only cash or check will be accepted as payment at the event, according to the release.
The semi-annual event is a longtime tradition at the church, event organizers said. Women in the church’s circle began hosting rummage sales nearly 50 years ago in the building now housing Chapel on the Green.
Proceeds from the sale will support church programs, ministries, building needs and multiple charitable organizations that help provide for the needs of people in the Yorkville area and beyond, organizers said.
For more information, call the church office at 630-553-7308.
Event to benefit Water Street Studios
Water Street Studios President Jessica Jecmen will be hosting a shopping event to benefit the art center from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, April 13, at House of 423 at 219 W. State St. in Geneva.
Guests will get a chance to see the latest spring fashions, and Water Street Studios, an art center in downtown Batavia, will receive 15% of the pre-tax profits from the event, organizers said in a press release. If there are more than 20 transactions, the art center will receive 20%.
All guests will receive a gift card with 10% of their pre-tax purchase amount for future online or in-store purchases, according to the release.
The event is free to attend.
For more information, go to houseof423.com or waterstreetstudios.org.
Sons of American Legion plan breakfast
The Yorkville Sons of The American Legion will hold its final monthly breakfast fundraiser of the season from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Sunday, April 13, at the Yorkville American Legion, 9054 E. Veterans Parkway in Yorkville.
The buffet will consist of biscuits and gravy, pancakes, scrambled eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage, tomato juice, orange juice, milk and coffee, organizers said.
The cost to attend the event, which is open to the public, is $12 for adults 18 to 54 years old, $10 for those 55 years old and older and $8 for those 6 to 17 years old. Those 5 years old and younger eat for free at the event.
Autism advocate Temple Grandin to speak at Benedictine
Temple Grandin, a renowned autism advocate, will speak about her autism journey at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at Benedictine University’s Goodwin Auditorium, 5700 College Road, Lisle.
The event includes a question-and-answer session and is open to the public. A book signing will follow at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and available at bit.ly/3E68yT3 .
Proceeds from the event benefit Lisle-based Giant Steps’ students and young adults with autism by supporting specialized programs and services, including individualized education, therapy, job training and family support, a news release said.
The event is part of Giant Steps’ Denim & Diamonds Gala, where Grandin will be headlining speaker. It will be held from 6 to 10:30 p.m. April 12 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton, 1823 Abriter Court, Naperville.
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Joey Bart, Andrew McCutchen e Isiah Kiner-Falefa impulsaron cada uno dos carreras, y los Piratas de Pittsburgh le propinaron a San Luis su cuarta derrota consecutiva con una victoria de 8-4 sobre los Cardenales el lunes por la noche.
Bart conectó en la primera entrada su primer jonrón de la temporada. También bateó un triple productor durante el séptimo episodio de cuatro carreras de Pittsburgh.
El derecho de los Piratas, Carmen Mlodzinski (1-1), trabajó cinco entradas y permitió una carrera en su primera victoria como abridor. Fue convertido de relevista durante los entrenamientos de primavera.
El novato Thomas Harrington lanzó cuatro entradas para su primer salvamento en el segundo juego de su carrera, ayudando a los Piratas a ganar juegos consecutivos por primera vez esta temporada.
Kiner-Falefa bateó un sencillo de dos carreras en la segunda, y McCutchen añadió un doble de dos carreras en la séptima.
El zurdo de los Cardenales, Matthew Liberatore (0-1), ponchó a siete en seis entraddas y un tercio. Fue responsable de cinco carreras y ocho hits.
Masyn Winn y Yohel Pozo conectaron jonrones para San Luis, y Brendan Donovan tuvo tres hits.
Por los Cardenales, el venezolano Yohel Pozo de 4-1 con una anotada y una impulsada.
Por los Piratas, los dominicanos Endy Rodríguez bateó de 4-2 con una anotada y Oneil Cruz de 3-0 con una impulsada.
___
Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
On April 1 in Georgia, Lincoln-Way East’s Jack Bauer
unleashed a fastball. Three numbers popped up on the scoreboard’s pitch-speed indicator — 102.
It was no April Fools’ joke, either. Bauer, a senior who is committed to Virginia, had thrown what Baseball America noted is the fastest pitch they have recorded from a high school left-hander.
“It goes to show the work I put in over the offseason,” Bauer said. “I put a huge emphasis on the weight room. I don’t really look at the radar gun when I’m throwing, but after I was done pitching and found out, I was absolutely surprised.
“It’s a crazy number.”
And the start of a crazy week for Bauer. The pitch has gone viral and Bauer has seen his name everywhere from the local 10 p.m. newscasts to countless national baseball websites.
Bauer isn’t about to get caught up in his own hype, though.
“It’s awesome getting posted on these big places, but I have to continue to prove myself,” he said. “I know consistency is key. Just one good outing or a couple good outings doesn’t matter in the long run if I can’t prove myself for the whole season.
“Things go crazy, but I try to keep my wits about me.”
Lincoln-Way East’s Jack Bauer prepares to pitch during practice at I-80 Athletics in Tinley Park on Monday, April 7, 2025. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
Bauer’s velocity is almost unheard of from a left-handed pitcher, even in the major leagues. He’s drawn comparisons to Randy Johnson, the Hall of Fame lefty who once hit 102 mph.
The attention is certainly flattering, but Bauer knows it’s not all about speed. He’s always thrown hard, but the results haven’t always been there.
Last season, Bauer struggled with his control. He finished the season with a 3.76 ERA — far from terrible, but far from the dominant pitcher Bauer knows he’s capable of being.
“Last season, I felt like I let the team down,” Bauer said. “I went into the summer circuit and I didn’t perform the way I wanted to there either. I went into this season with a chip on my shoulder and I plan to keep that chip on my shoulder for the rest of the time I play baseball.
“This year, for my senior season and last run with these guys, I really wanted to step up for this team.”
Lincoln-Way East’s Jack Bauer pauses before pitching during practice at I-80 Athletics in Tinley Park on Monday, April 7, 2025. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
Bauer has pitched 6 1/3 innings over three starts and has a whopping 17 strikeouts while walking four and allowing one earned run.
Junior catcher Jake Newman
has seen a new version of Bauer early this season.
“The difference is huge,” Newman said. “I don’t think last year he was where he wanted to be. He’s become a leader. He’s really shut down teams and kept us in every single game he’s pitched.”
Newman was on the receiving end of the now-famous pitch.
“I looked up at the scoreboard and saw the 102,” he said. “It was like a shock. It’s really cool that I caught one of the fastest high school pitches ever.”
For Bauer, the big focus heading into this season was finding steadiness in his delivery.
“I know I have a great arm,” he said. “The main thing has absolutely been consistency. Consistency with my motion, consistency with control. I’ve put a ton of work into developing a feel and command over my pitches.
“Last year, I felt like my form was different every single outing. Now, I feel much more in control.”
Lincoln-Way East’s Jack Bauer throws a pitch against Brother Rice during a nonconference game in Frankfort on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
Bauer’s ability to light up the radar gun has put him in the spotlight since he entered high school.
That hasn’t always been easy, but Lincoln-Way East coach John McCarthy
has seen Bauer mature into someone who is ready to handle all the attention.
“It’s been sometimes difficult for him to manage that, year in and year out,” McCarthy said. “He did a great job in the offseason getting himself better, physically and mentally.”
After making that pitch in Georgia, Bauer is filled with belief.
“There’s not any doubt anymore,” he said. “Last year, I was doubting myself every time I went out on the mound. Now, I just have the confidence that I’m going to go out and dominate the hitter.
“I’m going to throw it in the zone and see if they can hit it.”
El histórico transatlántico SS United States se convertirá en el mayor arrecife artificial del mundo
en cuanto llegue a su lugar de descanso final frente a las costas de Florida en el Golfo de México. Empresas de buceo rivales compiten para que sea hundido más cerca de ellas, mientras que un grupo presentó una demanda con la que pretende impedir que sea echado a pique.
El buque de casi 305 metros (1.000 pies) de eslora, que rompió el récord transatlántico de velocidad en su viaje inaugural en 1952, es sometido a un proceso de limpieza de un mes en el puerto de Mobile, Alabama.
Los trabajadores vaciarán y limpiarán sus 120 tanques de combustible, además de retirar productos químicos, cableado, plástico y vidrio.
“Hay muchas cosas desagradables en los barcos construidos en la década de 1950”, explicó Alex Fogg, administrador de recursos costeros del condado Okaloosa. “En esencia, cuando esté listo para ser hundido, será una estructura de acero y aluminio”.
El SS United States se sumará a los más de 500 arrecifes artificiales del condado Okaloosa, que incluyen una docena de naufragios más pequeños. Las autoridades esperan atraer turistas y generar millones de dólares anuales para tiendas de buceo, alquiler de barcos de pesca y hoteles, además de proveer un hábitat para especies cruciales de peces y otras criaturas marinas.
“El objetivo aquí es convertirnos en la capital del buceo en el estado de Florida”, agregó Fogg. “Incluso intentamos superar a los cayos de Florida”.
Fogg reportó que prevén tener hundido al SS United States para finales de año en uno de tres lugares autorizados, todos a poco más de 37 kilómetros (20 millas náuticas) de la localidad de Destin, Florida. Los tres sitios tienen la misma profundidad —unos 55 metros (180 pies) de agua hasta la arena—, pero el navío es tan alto que las cubiertas superiores estarán a unos 18 metros (60 pies) de la superficie.
“Eso se ajusta perfectamente al perfil del buceador principiante, y esas profundidades mayores ciertamente serán atractivas para los buceadores técnicos y avanzados”, señaló Fogg.
Autoridades del condado Bay acordaron ofrecer 3 millones de dólares al condado Okaloosa para que el SS United States sea hundido más cerca de la ciudad Panama City Beach.
Dan Rowe, presidente y director general de Visit Panama City Beach —un organismo de promoción turística—, enfatizó que su área cuenta con una de las flotas de botes de buceo más grandes en la costa norte del Golfo de México. El condado Bay tiene una larga trayectoria en el desarrollo de tecnología utilizada en la exploración submarina, y la escuela de buceo de la Armada de Estados Unidos se encuentra en la Base de Apoyo Naval de Panama City.
“El buceo forma parte de nuestro ADN”, expresó Rowe.
Funcionarios del condado Escambia sólo ofrecen 1 millón de dólares para hundir el barco más cerca de Pensacola, pero Darien Schaefer, presidente y director general de Visit Pensacola —otro organismo de promoción turística—, indicó que la ubicación occidental está a sólo 22 kilómetros (12 millas náuticas) del USS Oriskany, otro buque popular para el buceo, el cual fue hundido en 2006. Añadió que los buzos podrían visitar ambos naufragios el mismo día.
“Simplemente pensamos que el tener esos dos naufragios a tal proximidad haría que el sitio sea legendario para el buceo”, apuntó Schaefer.
El SS United States llegó a Alabama en marzo tras ser remolcado durante 12 días desde el río Delaware de Filadelfia, donde permaneció casi tres décadas. El condado Okaloosa pudo asumir la propiedad del buque después de que en octubre pasado se solucionó una añeja disputa por el alquiler entre la entidad que gestiona el barco y su propietario.
Diversos grupos han intentado restaurar el SS United States a lo largo de los años, pero a fin de cuentas todos los planes fueron abandonados debido al elevado costo. Recientemente, la atención cada vez mayor de los medios ha provocado que se alcen más voces que piden preservar el transatlántico, y un grupo llamado New York Coalition incluso presentó una demanda ante el tribunal federal de Pensacola en la que le solicita a un juez que detenga el hundimiento de un navío de tanta importancia histórica.
Pero el evitar que el SS United States se convierta en un arrecife sólo lo enviaría al desguace, observó Fogg. Además, el plan del condado por 10,1 millones de dólares para comprar, trasladar, limpiar y hundir el barco incluye 1 millón de dólares para desarrollar un museo en tierra firme que promoverá su historia.
“Una vez que el buque sea hundido para que se convierta en un arrecife artificial, más personas lo visitarán durante su primer mes bajo el agua que en los últimos 30 años”, agregó Fogg.
El SS United States, cuya longitud es mayor en más de 30 metros (100 pies) que el RMS Titanic, fue considerado en su momento un emblema de la ingeniería estadounidense, y también podía emplearse para el transporte de miles de soldados. En su viaje inaugural rompió el récord transatlántico de velocidad en ambas direcciones al alcanzar una velocidad promedio de 36 nudos —poco más de 66 kilómetros por hora (41 millas por hora)—, informó en su momento The Associated Press desde el barco.
El navío cruzó el océano Atlántico en tres días, 10 horas y 40 minutos, con lo que superó el tiempo del RMS Queen Mary por 10 horas. Hasta el día de hoy, el SS United States mantiene el récord de velocidad transatlántica para un buque de pasajeros.
Chicago Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker tends to deflect attention to his teammates, even when receiving an individual honor.
Tucker was named the National League Player of the Week on Monday, the first weekly honor of his career. Tucker hit .391 with three home runs, eight RBIs, three doubles, eight walks, 11 runs scored, two stolen bases, a .913 slugging percentage and a .548 on-base percentage in six games.
Tucker said it was nice to receive the recognition for his offensive performance
, but “I think a lot of it just kind of stems from our whole lineup.”
“I mean, everyone’s been putting together really good at-bats, and I just want to just continue that in my part,” Tucker said. “So I feel pretty good at the plate right now and the field and everything. I just try and have good at-bats and keep it rolling for the rest of us.”
While it’s a small sample size, Tucker has recorded 12 walks in 12 games
entering Monday’s series opener against the Texas Rangers. His 20.3% walk rate to date continues the trend of improved patience Tucker has displayed over the last four years, seeing that figure go from 9.7% in 2022 to 11.9% and 16.5% in the last two years.
“I think earlier in my career, I mean, I can hit pitches off the plate,” Tucker said. “That doesn’t necessarily mean I should swing at them or want to do that, but I think if you just have good plate discipline and able to take those pitches that are close or just off or whatever and get into better counts, you’ll get better pitches to hit, or you just draw some walks to keep the line moving, or get guys in scoring position or bring them in. So that’s what I like to do.”
Tucker, who turned 28 in January, is setting himself up for a big payday when he hits free agency after this season
. One impending free agent is off the market. The Toronto Blue Jays and first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. agreed to a 15-year, $500 million contract extension Sunday.
“It was what he wanted to do and I’m sure he loves playing in Toronto and everything so that’s great for him, but I mean, everyone’s a little different,” Tucker said. “Right now I’m here to play this year and play for the Cubs, so I’m excited to get out there and play again tonight, just kind of see where everything goes after that.”
Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker hits a single during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Wrigley Field on Monday, April 7, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Asked whether it’s important to spend the whole season in Chicago to better judge playing for the Cubs
, Tucker said, “it’s been great ever since I came over here. Right now, I don’t have anything, so I can’t really give you anything.
“I’m just here to play some baseball and see what happens after that.”
Guerrero’s contract extension doesn’t serve as a direct comparison to what Tucker could earn, as Guerrero turned 26 last month. But it will take a large contract for whichever team signs Tucker, a level the Cubs have shown in the past they aren’t inclined to reach either in years or total sum. As for any contract talk deadlines, Tucker didn’t delve into whether he has given his agency or the Cubs front office any communication on how he wants the season to proceed.
“I haven’t thought about it that much,” Tucker said. “I’m just trying to come out here and play and put up wins and get my numbers and whatever. I’m just here to play baseball, so I let the other stuff kind of fall where it is and see what happens.”
If his uncertain future is weighing on Tucker at all, it didn’t impact him through the first week of the season, an encouraging sign for a situation that will only garner more scrutiny as the end of the season approaches.
“It’s been fun watching Kyle kind of at the peak of who he is as an offensive player,” manager Craig Counsell said. “He’s just so locked in from pitch one and ready to do damage and at the same time spitting on the stuff he doesn’t want to swing at.”
