WICHITA - The Hays Larks will play at 3:00 p.m. Thursday in the quarterfinals of the 88th NBC World Series at Eck Stadium on the Wichita State campus.

The Larks will play the Lonestar Baseball Club out of Austin, Texas. Lonestar went 3-0 to win their pool while the Larks finished 2-1 and finished second in theirs.

You can hear Thursday's game on 96.9, KFIX.

Thursday's NBC WS Schedule 12:00 p.m. - Haysville Aviators vs. Liberal Bee Jays 3:00 p.m. - Hays Larks vs. Lonestar Baseball Club vs, Hays Larks 6:00 p.m. - Hutchinson Monarchs vs. Seattle Studs 8:30 p.m. - TBT Ballers vs. Santa Barbara Foresters

WICHITA - The Hays Larks will play at 3:00 p.m. Thursday in the quarterfinals of the 88th NBC World Series at Eck Stadium on the Wichita State campus.The Larks will play the Lonestar Baseball Club out of Austin, Texas. Lonestar went 3-0 to win their pool while the Larks finished 2-1 and finished second in theirs.You can hear Thursday's game on 96.9, KFIX.Thursday's NBC WS Schedule 12:00 p.m. - Haysville Aviators vs. Liberal Bee Jays 3:00 p.m. - Hays Larks vs. Lonestar Baseball Club vs, Hays Larks 6:00 p.m. - Hutchinson Monarchs vs. Seattle Studs 8:30 p.m. - TBT Ballers vs. Santa Barbara Foresters

⚾ Larks play at 3pm Thursday at NBC World Series

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox would have liked to complete a few more trades prior to the deadline to give themselves the jolt they need to make a jump in the AL Central.

It didn't work out that way. They'll have to pick themselves up and deliver more performances like this.

Eloy Jiménez set season highs with three hits and four RBIs, José Abreu homered and Chicago pounded the Kansas City Royals 9-2 on Tuesday night.

The White Sox made no major moves before the trade deadline and will bank on improvement from within as they try to overtake Minnesota and Cleveland to win their second straight AL Central championship. This one wasn’t exactly pristine, but they'll take the lopsided win.

“We come out playing like we did today, then we're gonna be in a good spot,” starter Lucas Giolito said.

The White Sox have been getting a big boost lately from Jiménez following a slow start and a right knee injury that caused him to miss six weeks. He has been on a tear since the All-Star break, going 14 for 33 with three homers in 10 games. That's sent his batting average soaring from .197 to .273.

Jiménez singled and scored in a three-run first inning and smacked a two-run double in the fourth to bump Chicago’s lead to 5-2. He added a long sacrifice fly in the sixth before Abreu chased Royals starter Brad Keller (5-12) with a two-run homer off the left-field foul pole, making it 8-2.

Gavin Sheets hit a solo homer in the seventh. Andrew Vaughn added three hits and scored twice, helping Chicago move back above .500 at 52-51. The White Sox are 24-29 at home.

“We are one of the teams that can do that,” Jiménez said. “It's been up and down. But this is not over."

Giolito (7-6) went five innings, allowing two runs and five hits in his first win at home since beating Boston on May 25. The right-hander struck out seven and walked three after posting a 6.75 ERA in his previous nine outings.

Keller got tagged for eight runs and 13 hits — both career highs — in 5 2/3 innings. The right-hander lost his third straight start.

The Royals were busy prior to the deadline,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ballysports.com/kansas-city/news/kansas-city-royals-whit-merrifield-trade-toronto-blue-jays" target="_blank">sending utility player Whit Merrifield to the Blue Jays</a>&nbsp;with just minutes to spare. The two-time All-Star will have to get vaccinated against COVID-19 if he’s going to play in Toronto, after missing Kansas City’s trip there last month.

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn hoped to be more active at the deadline. Chicago’s lone move was acquiring left-handed reliever Jake Diekman from Boston on Monday.

“At no point do I feel through this process that we were prospect clutching, being unreasonable,” Hahn said. “We were asked for many of our premium prospects in exchange for rentals. That didn’t exactly line up from our perspective about what made sense for not only this team, but also the future.”

Diekman struck out two in a scoreless sixth.

Royals: Bobby Witt Jr. started at shortstop for the first time since July 24. He missed five games because of hamstring tightness and did not play Monday after starting as the DH the previous two games.

White Sox: CF Luis Robert was activated from the 10-day injured list after the slugger and Gold Glove winner was sidelined because of blurred vision and lightheadedness. Robert exited Chicago’s win at Minnesota on July 15. He was having trouble seeing from a distance and getting jumps on balls. Hahn said the symptoms have subsided and were likely brought on by a virus that led to vitamin deficiencies. He said “it’s possible” the symptoms crop up again, though the White Sox have “far more confidence that this will be behind him.” ... Chicago reinstated 3B Jake Burger (right hand) from the 10-day IL and optioned him to Triple-A Charlotte. ... The White Sox sent RHP Vince Velasquez (right index finger blister) on an injury rehabilitation assignment to Charlotte.

The three-game series wraps up with the White Sox sending RHP Lance Lynn (1-4, 6.42 ERA) to the mound and the Royals going with RHP Brady Singer (4-3, 3.51). Lynn is coming off a loss to Oakland. Singer went seven innings, striking out 10, in Kansas City’s 1-0 loss Thursday at Yankee Stadium that ended with Aaron Judge’s homer off Scott Barlow.

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox would have liked to complete a few more trades prior to the deadline to give themselves the jolt they need to make a jump in the AL Central.It didn't work out that way. They'll have to pick themselves up and deliver more performances like this.Eloy Jiménez set season highs with three hits and four RBIs, José Abreu homered and Chicago pounded the Kansas City Royals 9-2 on Tuesday night.The White Sox made no major moves before the trade deadline and will bank on improvement from within as they try to overtake Minnesota and Cleveland to win their second straight AL Central championship. This one wasn’t exactly pristine, but they'll take the lopsided win.“We come out playing like we did today, then we're gonna be in a good spot,” starter Lucas Giolito said.The White Sox have been getting a big boost lately from Jiménez following a slow start and a right knee injury that caused him to miss six weeks. He has been on a tear since the All-Star break, going 14 for 33 with three homers in 10 games. That's sent his batting average soaring from .197 to .273.Jiménez singled and scored in a three-run first inning and smacked a two-run double in the fourth to bump Chicago’s lead to 5-2. He added a long sacrifice fly in the sixth before Abreu chased Royals starter Brad Keller (5-12) with a two-run homer off the left-field foul pole, making it 8-2.Gavin Sheets hit a solo homer in the seventh. Andrew Vaughn added three hits and scored twice, helping Chicago move back above .500 at 52-51. The White Sox are 24-29 at home.“We are one of the teams that can do that,” Jiménez said. “It's been up and down. But this is not over."Giolito (7-6) went five innings, allowing two runs and five hits in his first win at home since beating Boston on May 25. The right-hander struck out seven and walked three after posting a 6.75 ERA in his previous nine outings.Keller got tagged for eight runs and 13 hits — both career highs — in 5 2/3 innings. The right-hander lost his third straight start.MERRIFIELD TRADEDThe Royals were busy prior to the deadline,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ballysports.com/kansas-city/news/kansas-city-royals-whit-merrifield-trade-toronto-blue-jays" target="_blank">sending utility player Whit Merrifield to the Blue Jays</a>&nbsp;with just minutes to spare. The two-time All-Star will have to get vaccinated against COVID-19 if he’s going to play in Toronto, after missing Kansas City’s trip there last month.QUIET SOXWhite Sox general manager Rick Hahn hoped to be more active at the deadline. Chicago’s lone move was acquiring left-handed reliever Jake Diekman from Boston on Monday.“At no point do I feel through this process that we were prospect clutching, being unreasonable,” Hahn said. “We were asked for many of our premium prospects in exchange for rentals. That didn’t exactly line up from our perspective about what made sense for not only this team, but also the future.”Diekman struck out two in a scoreless sixth.TRAINER’S ROOMRoyals: Bobby Witt Jr. started at shortstop for the first time since July 24. He missed five games because of hamstring tightness and did not play Monday after starting as the DH the previous two games.White Sox: CF Luis Robert was activated from the 10-day injured list after the slugger and Gold Glove winner was sidelined because of blurred vision and lightheadedness. Robert exited Chicago’s win at Minnesota on July 15. He was having trouble seeing from a distance and getting jumps on balls. Hahn said the symptoms have subsided and were likely brought on by a virus that led to vitamin deficiencies. He said “it’s possible” the symptoms crop up again, though the White Sox have “far more confidence that this will be behind him.” ... Chicago reinstated 3B Jake Burger (right hand) from the 10-day IL and optioned him to Triple-A Charlotte. ... The White Sox sent RHP Vince Velasquez (right index finger blister) on an injury rehabilitation assignment to Charlotte.UP NEXTThe three-game series wraps up with the White Sox sending RHP Lance Lynn (1-4, 6.42 ERA) to the mound and the Royals going with RHP Brady Singer (4-3, 3.51). Lynn is coming off a loss to Oakland. Singer went seven innings, striking out 10, in Kansas City’s 1-0 loss Thursday at Yankee Stadium that ended with Aaron Judge’s homer off Scott Barlow.

⚾ Tough night for Keller in Royals loss to White Sox

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully, whose dulcet tones provided the soundtrack of summer while entertaining and informing Dodgers fans in Brooklyn and Los Angeles for 67 years, died Tuesday night. He was 94.

Scully died at his home in the Hidden Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, according to the team after being informed by family members. No cause of death was provided.

“He was the best there ever was,” pitcher Clayton Kershaw said after the Dodgers game in San Francisco. “Just such a special man. I’m grateful and thankful I got to know him as well as I did.”

As the longest tenured broadcaster with a single team in pro sports history, Scully saw it all and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6e4856f479fac9779c9e1956e4347088">called it all.</a>&nbsp;He began in the 1950s era of Pee Wee Reese and Jackie Robinson, on to the 1960s with Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax, into the 1970s with Steve Garvey and Don Sutton, and through the 1980s with Orel Hershiser and Fernando Valenzuela. In the 1990s, it was Mike Piazza and Hideo Nomo, followed by Kershaw, Manny Ramirez and Yasiel Puig in the 21st century.

“You gave me my Wild Horse name. You gave me love. You hugged me like a father,”&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/YasielPuig/status/1554702784561197056?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet">tweeted Puig,</a>&nbsp;the talented Cuban-born outfielder who burned brightly upon his Dodgers debut in 2013. “I will never forget you, my heart is broken.”

The Dodgers changed players, managers, executives, owners — and even coasts — but Scully and his soothing, insightful style remained a constant for the fans.

He opened broadcasts with the familiar greeting, “Hi, everybody, and a very pleasant good evening to you wherever you may be.”

Ever gracious both in person and on the air, Scully considered himself merely a conduit between the game and the fans.

After the Dodgers' 9-5 win, the Giants posted a Scully tribute on the videoboard.

"There’s not a better storyteller and I think everyone considers him family,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “He was in our living rooms for many generations. He lived a fantastic life, a legacy that will live on forever.”

Although he was paid by the Dodgers, Scully was unafraid to criticize a bad play or a manager’s decision, or praise an opponent while spinning stories against a backdrop of routine plays and noteworthy achievements. He always said he wanted to see things with his eyes, not his heart.

“We have lost an icon," team president and CEO Stan Kasten said. "His voice will always be heard and etched in all of our minds forever.”

Vincent Edward Scully was born Nov. 29, 1927, in the Bronx. He was the son of a silk salesman who died of pneumonia when Scully was 7. His mother moved the family to Brooklyn, where the red-haired, blue-eyed Scully grew up playing stickball in the streets.

As a child, Scully would grab a pillow, put it under the family’s four-legged radio and lay his head directly under the speaker to hear whatever college football game was on the air. With a snack of saltine crackers and a glass of milk nearby, the boy was transfixed by the crowd’s roar that raised goosebumps. He thought he’d like to call the action himself.

Scully, who played outfield for two years on the Fordham University baseball team, began his career by working baseball, football and basketball games for the university’s radio station.

At age 22, he was hired by a CBS radio affiliate in Washington, D.C.

He soon joined Hall of Famer Red Barber and Connie Desmond in the Brooklyn Dodgers’ radio and television booths. In 1953, at age 25, Scully became the youngest person to broadcast a World Series game, a mark that still stands.

He moved west with the Dodgers in 1958. Scully called three perfect games — Don Larsen in the 1956 World Series, Sandy Koufax in 1965 and Dennis Martinez in 1991 — and 18 no-hitters.

He also was on the air when Don Drysdale set his scoreless innings streak of 58 2/3 innings in 1968 and again when Hershiser broke the record with 59 consecutive scoreless innings 20 years later.

When Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run to break Babe Ruth’s record in 1974, it was against the Dodgers and, of course, Scully called it.

“A Black man is getting a standing ovation in the Deep South for breaking a record of an all-time baseball idol,” Scully told listeners. “What a marvelous moment for baseball.”

Scully credited the birth of the transistor radio as “the greatest single break” of his career. Fans had trouble recognizing the lesser players during the Dodgers’ first four years in the vast Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

“They were 70 or so odd rows away from the action,” he said in 2016. “They brought the radio to find out about all the other players and to see what they were trying to see down on the field.”

That habit carried over when the team moved to Dodger Stadium in 1962. Fans held radios to their ears, and those not present listened from home or the car, allowing Scully to connect generations of families with his words.

He often said it was best to describe a big play quickly and then be quiet so fans could listen to the pandemonium. After Koufax’s perfect game in 1965, Scully went silent for 38 seconds before talking again. He was similarly silent for a time after Kirk Gibson’s pinch-hit home run to win Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.

He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame that year, and also had the stadium’s press box named for him in 2001. The street leading to Dodger Stadium’s main gate was named in his honor in 2016.

That same year he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama.

“God has been so good to me to allow me to do what I’m doing,” Scully, a devout Catholic who attended mass on Sundays before heading to the ballpark, said before retiring. “A childhood dream that came to pass and then giving me 67 years to enjoy every minute of it. That’s a pretty large thanksgiving day for me.”

In addition to being the voice of the Dodgers, Scully called play-by-play for NFL games and PGA Tour events as well as calling 25 World Series and 12 All-Star Games. He was NBC’s lead baseball announcer from 1983-89.

While being one of the most widely heard broadcasters in the nation, Scully was an intensely private man. Once the baseball season ended, he would disappear. He rarely did personal appearances or sports talk shows. He preferred spending time with his family.

In 1972, his first wife, Joan, died of an accidental overdose of medicine. He was left with three young children. Two years later, he met the woman who would become his second wife, Sandra, a secretary for the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams. She had two young children from a previous marriage, and they combined their families into what Scully once called “my own Brady Bunch.”

He said he realized time was the most precious thing in the world and that he wanted to use his time to spend with his loved ones. In the early 1960s, Scully quit smoking with the help of his family. In the shirt pocket where he kept a pack of cigarettes, Scully stuck a family photo. Whenever he felt like he needed a smoke, he pulled out the photo to remind him why he quit. Eight months later, Scully never smoked again.

After retiring in 2016, Scully made just a handful of appearances at Dodger Stadium and his sweet voice was heard narrating an occasional video played during games. Mostly, he was content to stay close to home.

“I just want to be remembered as a good man, an honest man, and one who lived up to his own beliefs,” he said in 2016.

In 2020, Scully auctioned off years of his personal memorabilia, which raised over $2 million. A portion of it was donated to UCLA for ALS research.

He was preceded in death by his second wife, Sandra. She died of complications of ALS at age 76 in 2021. The couple, who were married 47 years, had daughter Catherine together.

Scully’s other children are Kelly, Erin, Todd and Kevin. A son, Michael, died in a helicopter crash in 1994.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659497855884.png" alt="photo courtesy Los Angeles Dodgers" />
 <figcaption>photo courtesy Los Angeles Dodgers</figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully, whose dulcet tones provided the soundtrack of summer while entertaining and informing Dodgers fans in Brooklyn and Los Angeles for 67 years, died Tuesday night. He was 94.Scully died at his home in the Hidden Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, according to the team after being informed by family members. No cause of death was provided.“He was the best there ever was,” pitcher Clayton Kershaw said after the Dodgers game in San Francisco. “Just such a special man. I’m grateful and thankful I got to know him as well as I did.”As the longest tenured broadcaster with a single team in pro sports history, Scully saw it all and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6e4856f479fac9779c9e1956e4347088">called it all.</a>&nbsp;He began in the 1950s era of Pee Wee Reese and Jackie Robinson, on to the 1960s with Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax, into the 1970s with Steve Garvey and Don Sutton, and through the 1980s with Orel Hershiser and Fernando Valenzuela. In the 1990s, it was Mike Piazza and Hideo Nomo, followed by Kershaw, Manny Ramirez and Yasiel Puig in the 21st century.“You gave me my Wild Horse name. You gave me love. You hugged me like a father,”&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/YasielPuig/status/1554702784561197056?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet">tweeted Puig,</a>&nbsp;the talented Cuban-born outfielder who burned brightly upon his Dodgers debut in 2013. “I will never forget you, my heart is broken.”The Dodgers changed players, managers, executives, owners — and even coasts — but Scully and his soothing, insightful style remained a constant for the fans.He opened broadcasts with the familiar greeting, “Hi, everybody, and a very pleasant good evening to you wherever you may be.”Ever gracious both in person and on the air, Scully considered himself merely a conduit between the game and the fans.After the Dodgers' 9-5 win, the Giants posted a Scully tribute on the videoboard."There’s not a better storyteller and I think everyone considers him family,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “He was in our living rooms for many generations. He lived a fantastic life, a legacy that will live on forever.”Although he was paid by the Dodgers, Scully was unafraid to criticize a bad play or a manager’s decision, or praise an opponent while spinning stories against a backdrop of routine plays and noteworthy achievements. He always said he wanted to see things with his eyes, not his heart.“We have lost an icon," team president and CEO Stan Kasten said. "His voice will always be heard and etched in all of our minds forever.”Vincent Edward Scully was born Nov. 29, 1927, in the Bronx. He was the son of a silk salesman who died of pneumonia when Scully was 7. His mother moved the family to Brooklyn, where the red-haired, blue-eyed Scully grew up playing stickball in the streets.As a child, Scully would grab a pillow, put it under the family’s four-legged radio and lay his head directly under the speaker to hear whatever college football game was on the air. With a snack of saltine crackers and a glass of milk nearby, the boy was transfixed by the crowd’s roar that raised goosebumps. He thought he’d like to call the action himself.Scully, who played outfield for two years on the Fordham University baseball team, began his career by working baseball, football and basketball games for the university’s radio station.At age 22, he was hired by a CBS radio affiliate in Washington, D.C.He soon joined Hall of Famer Red Barber and Connie Desmond in the Brooklyn Dodgers’ radio and television booths. In 1953, at age 25, Scully became the youngest person to broadcast a World Series game, a mark that still stands.He moved west with the Dodgers in 1958. Scully called three perfect games — Don Larsen in the 1956 World Series, Sandy Koufax in 1965 and Dennis Martinez in 1991 — and 18 no-hitters.He also was on the air when Don Drysdale set his scoreless innings streak of 58 2/3 innings in 1968 and again when Hershiser broke the record with 59 consecutive scoreless innings 20 years later.When Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run to break Babe Ruth’s record in 1974, it was against the Dodgers and, of course, Scully called it.“A Black man is getting a standing ovation in the Deep South for breaking a record of an all-time baseball idol,” Scully told listeners. “What a marvelous moment for baseball.”Scully credited the birth of the transistor radio as “the greatest single break” of his career. Fans had trouble recognizing the lesser players during the Dodgers’ first four years in the vast Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.“They were 70 or so odd rows away from the action,” he said in 2016. “They brought the radio to find out about all the other players and to see what they were trying to see down on the field.”That habit carried over when the team moved to Dodger Stadium in 1962. Fans held radios to their ears, and those not present listened from home or the car, allowing Scully to connect generations of families with his words.He often said it was best to describe a big play quickly and then be quiet so fans could listen to the pandemonium. After Koufax’s perfect game in 1965, Scully went silent for 38 seconds before talking again. He was similarly silent for a time after Kirk Gibson’s pinch-hit home run to win Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame that year, and also had the stadium’s press box named for him in 2001. The street leading to Dodger Stadium’s main gate was named in his honor in 2016.That same year he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama.“God has been so good to me to allow me to do what I’m doing,” Scully, a devout Catholic who attended mass on Sundays before heading to the ballpark, said before retiring. “A childhood dream that came to pass and then giving me 67 years to enjoy every minute of it. That’s a pretty large thanksgiving day for me.”In addition to being the voice of the Dodgers, Scully called play-by-play for NFL games and PGA Tour events as well as calling 25 World Series and 12 All-Star Games. He was NBC’s lead baseball announcer from 1983-89.While being one of the most widely heard broadcasters in the nation, Scully was an intensely private man. Once the baseball season ended, he would disappear. He rarely did personal appearances or sports talk shows. He preferred spending time with his family.In 1972, his first wife, Joan, died of an accidental overdose of medicine. He was left with three young children. Two years later, he met the woman who would become his second wife, Sandra, a secretary for the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams. She had two young children from a previous marriage, and they combined their families into what Scully once called “my own Brady Bunch.”He said he realized time was the most precious thing in the world and that he wanted to use his time to spend with his loved ones. In the early 1960s, Scully quit smoking with the help of his family. In the shirt pocket where he kept a pack of cigarettes, Scully stuck a family photo. Whenever he felt like he needed a smoke, he pulled out the photo to remind him why he quit. Eight months later, Scully never smoked again.After retiring in 2016, Scully made just a handful of appearances at Dodger Stadium and his sweet voice was heard narrating an occasional video played during games. Mostly, he was content to stay close to home.“I just want to be remembered as a good man, an honest man, and one who lived up to his own beliefs,” he said in 2016.In 2020, Scully auctioned off years of his personal memorabilia, which raised over $2 million. A portion of it was donated to UCLA for ALS research.He was preceded in death by his second wife, Sandra. She died of complications of ALS at age 76 in 2021. The couple, who were married 47 years, had daughter Catherine together.Scully’s other children are Kelly, Erin, Todd and Kevin. A son, Michael, died in a helicopter crash in 1994.

Vin Scully, Dodgers broadcaster for 67 years, dies at 94

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Whit Merrifield said last month he might be willing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 if it meant playing for a team in contention, even though he had refused to get the shot while playing for the last-place Kansas City Royals.

In a unique and potentially unprecedented situation, the Royals traded Merrifield to the Toronto Blue Jays just minutes before the trade deadline Tuesday. And if the two-time All-Star wants to play any games in Canada down the stretch, Merrifield will be required to get one of the approved vaccines to enter the country.

“We'll let him work through that with his family,” Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said, while declining additional comment on the matter. “We felt like we made a very good team better today.”

Merrifield was among 10 players on the Royals who were unvaccinated last month, preventing them from making their trip to Toronto. When asked about his decision, Merrifield drew the ire of Kansas City fans by saying: "Something happens and I happen to get on a team that has a chance to go play in Canada in the postseason, maybe that changes.”

Many took that to mean Merrifield was unwilling to get vaccinated for his current team but would for someone else.

“The extent of our conversation with Whit and his vaccination status ended when we were going to Toronto because after that it didn't effect us,” Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said. “The conversations we had with Toronto, I'm going to keep private. There's no need for me to talk about a player on another team."

The Royals received in the deal speedy youngster Samad Taylor and right-hander Max Castillo, both of whom could help their big league team as early as this season. The 24-year-old Taylor is hitting .258 with nine homers and 23 stolen bases in 70 games for Triple-A Buffalo while the 23-year-old Castillo has a 3.05 ERA in nine appearances for Toronto.

The deal also creates more opportunities for the Royals' young core to play together.

The 33-year-old Merrifield was hitting just .240 with 30 extra-base hits and 15 stolen bases in 95 games this season. But he has proven to be dependable, playing every game for Kansas City each of the past three seasons, and he’s twice led the league in hits, led the league in stolen bases three times and had an AL-leading 42 doubles last season.

Merrifield is making $7 million this season and is due $2.75 million next season along with a $4 million bonus for spending fewer than 110 days on the injured list in 2022. He has an $18 million mutual option for 2024 with a $500,000 buyout.

“I like Whit. I like him as a player. I like him as a person,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said before their game against the White Sox in Chicago. “But I also realize that it’s not a shock. This conversation started a long time ago.”

Toronto, which began Tuesday with a three-game lead over Tampa Bay for the AL's top wild card, was missing outfielder George Springer in the lineup for the third time in the last four games against the Rays due to a right elbow injury.

Blue Jays interim manager John Schneider said Springer will be re-evaluated Wednesday.

“He’s going to do some stuff on the field today and then kind of revisit it," Schneider said, "but it’s not anything concrete right now. You definitely want to put him in a spot to be good, have success and help us, so we’re hopeful that everything goes good. We hope it’s not anything crazy where it’s going to hinder him and his performance and us.”

It was a busy day for the Blue Jays, who got relievers Anthony Bass and Zach Pop along with a player to be named later from Miami for shortstop prospect Jordan Groshans; right-hander Mitch White and infielder Alex DeJesus from the Dodgers for right-hander Nick Frasso and left-hander Moises Brito; sent right-hander Jeremy Beasley to Pittsburgh for cash; recalled left-hander Matt Gage from Buffalo; and designated left-hander Anthony Banda for assignment.

Bass is 2-3 with 1.41 ERA in 45 games for Miami while Pop is 2-0 with a 3.60 ERA over 18 outings.

“Two guys that throw hard,” Schneider said. “Anything to kind of compliment what we have is awesome.”

The Royals were less busy than many expected ahead of the deadline, though they did swing a late trade with the Padres by sending backup catcher Cam Gallagher to San Diego for minor league outfielder Brent Rooker.

Gallagher played in just 18 games for Kansas City this season, ceding the job behind Salvador Perez to rising prospect MJ Melendez. The 27-year-old Rooker was hitting .272 with 19 homers in 61 games for Triple-A El Paso this season.

“I was shocked. It’s a business. I love the Royals. I’ll remember all the memories, and I’ll be rooting for them,” said Gallagher, who spent parts of six seasons in Kansas City. "But at the end of the day, it’s a new opportunity for me.”

Additionally, the Royals assigned newly acquired right-hander Luke Weaver to the major league roster and optioned reliever Jose Cuas to Triple-A Omaha. Weaver, dealt by the Arizona Diamondbacks for third baseman Emmanuel Rivera, was available out of the bullpen for Tuesday's game against the Chicago White Sox.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Whit Merrifield said last month he might be willing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 if it meant playing for a team in contention, even though he had refused to get the shot while playing for the last-place Kansas City Royals.He'll have to make that decision now.In a unique and potentially unprecedented situation, the Royals traded Merrifield to the Toronto Blue Jays just minutes before the trade deadline Tuesday. And if the two-time All-Star wants to play any games in Canada down the stretch, Merrifield will be required to get one of the approved vaccines to enter the country.“We'll let him work through that with his family,” Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said, while declining additional comment on the matter. “We felt like we made a very good team better today.”Merrifield was among 10 players on the Royals who were unvaccinated last month, preventing them from making their trip to Toronto. When asked about his decision, Merrifield drew the ire of Kansas City fans by saying: "Something happens and I happen to get on a team that has a chance to go play in Canada in the postseason, maybe that changes.”Many took that to mean Merrifield was unwilling to get vaccinated for his current team but would for someone else.“The extent of our conversation with Whit and his vaccination status ended when we were going to Toronto because after that it didn't effect us,” Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said. “The conversations we had with Toronto, I'm going to keep private. There's no need for me to talk about a player on another team."The Royals received in the deal speedy youngster Samad Taylor and right-hander Max Castillo, both of whom could help their big league team as early as this season. The 24-year-old Taylor is hitting .258 with nine homers and 23 stolen bases in 70 games for Triple-A Buffalo while the 23-year-old Castillo has a 3.05 ERA in nine appearances for Toronto.The deal also creates more opportunities for the Royals' young core to play together.The 33-year-old Merrifield was hitting just .240 with 30 extra-base hits and 15 stolen bases in 95 games this season. But he has proven to be dependable, playing every game for Kansas City each of the past three seasons, and he’s twice led the league in hits, led the league in stolen bases three times and had an AL-leading 42 doubles last season.Merrifield is making $7 million this season and is due $2.75 million next season along with a $4 million bonus for spending fewer than 110 days on the injured list in 2022. He has an $18 million mutual option for 2024 with a $500,000 buyout.“I like Whit. I like him as a player. I like him as a person,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said before their game against the White Sox in Chicago. “But I also realize that it’s not a shock. This conversation started a long time ago.”Toronto, which began Tuesday with a three-game lead over Tampa Bay for the AL's top wild card, was missing outfielder George Springer in the lineup for the third time in the last four games against the Rays due to a right elbow injury.Blue Jays interim manager John Schneider said Springer will be re-evaluated Wednesday.“He’s going to do some stuff on the field today and then kind of revisit it," Schneider said, "but it’s not anything concrete right now. You definitely want to put him in a spot to be good, have success and help us, so we’re hopeful that everything goes good. We hope it’s not anything crazy where it’s going to hinder him and his performance and us.”It was a busy day for the Blue Jays, who got relievers Anthony Bass and Zach Pop along with a player to be named later from Miami for shortstop prospect Jordan Groshans; right-hander Mitch White and infielder Alex DeJesus from the Dodgers for right-hander Nick Frasso and left-hander Moises Brito; sent right-hander Jeremy Beasley to Pittsburgh for cash; recalled left-hander Matt Gage from Buffalo; and designated left-hander Anthony Banda for assignment.Bass is 2-3 with 1.41 ERA in 45 games for Miami while Pop is 2-0 with a 3.60 ERA over 18 outings.“Two guys that throw hard,” Schneider said. “Anything to kind of compliment what we have is awesome.”The Royals were less busy than many expected ahead of the deadline, though they did swing a late trade with the Padres by sending backup catcher Cam Gallagher to San Diego for minor league outfielder Brent Rooker.Gallagher played in just 18 games for Kansas City this season, ceding the job behind Salvador Perez to rising prospect MJ Melendez. The 27-year-old Rooker was hitting .272 with 19 homers in 61 games for Triple-A El Paso this season.“I was shocked. It’s a business. I love the Royals. I’ll remember all the memories, and I’ll be rooting for them,” said Gallagher, who spent parts of six seasons in Kansas City. "But at the end of the day, it’s a new opportunity for me.”Additionally, the Royals assigned newly acquired right-hander Luke Weaver to the major league roster and optioned reliever Jose Cuas to Triple-A Omaha. Weaver, dealt by the Arizona Diamondbacks for third baseman Emmanuel Rivera, was available out of the bullpen for Tuesday's game against the Chicago White Sox.

⚾ Royals send Merrifield to Blue Jays for two prospects, trade Gallagher to Padres

After missing OTAs, mandatory minicamp and the first five practices at Chiefs training camp, starting left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. was back on the field with his teammates at training camp in St. Joseph Tuesday.

He's on an acclimation plan, meaning he's not a full participant yet. Brown did install, individual drills and 9-on-7, but not full 11-on-11 team workouts.

After being away for so long, working with the Chiefs on long-term contract negotiations, Brown says it was important for him to come back during the start of fully padded practices this week.

"I know how important this five-day stretch is to coach Reid and everybody here in KC," Brown said. "It didn't feel right, sitting at home and missing out on this. This is something I want to be a part of. I was brought here to help win Super Bowls."

Brown signed his franchise tender Monday, which will pay him around $16.6 million this season. The Chiefs waived offensive lineman Chris Glaser as a result to make room on the active roster.

Brown didn’t practice while he and the Chiefs worked on long-term contract negotiations, which for now have ultimately failed.

The Chiefs' final offer to Brown was a six-year, $139 million deal that included a $30.25 million signing bonus and $95 million in the first five years of the contract. A lack of security with no guaranteed money after the first two years derailed any agreement, according to ESPN reports.

"It was difficult to be away from it for so long," Brown admitted, "but the understanding was that I had to do what I had to do."

Despite the apparent saga, Brown reiterates his faithfulness to Kansas City, holds no grudges and wants to finish his career as a Chief.

"I love blocking for Pat Mahomes and I love putting the Chiefs logo on my helmet man," Brown said. "I really enjoy being here. I know that time will tell and things will taken care of with time. I just look forward to getting out on the field this year."

"With the contract situation, there weren't enough guarantees, and I want to be here for the rest of my career in Kansas City. That's really important to me."

With Byron Pringle now in Chicago, the Chiefs have tried a few new players at kick and punt return. Mecole Hardman is a veteran at that spot, owning both a kickoff and punt return for a touchdown in his Kansas City career.

Special teams coach David Toub says rookie running back Isiah Pacheco has caught his attention at kick return, and will start the preseason in that spot.

"He's promising," Toub said of the rookie running back out of Rutgers. "He's a big guy, 215 (pounds) plus, running a 4.37 (second 40-yard dash). That's kind of scary back there if we get that going."

As for punt return, Toub mentioned Trent McDuffie and Hardman as options, but he's also excited about rookie Skyy Moore.

"(Moore) has a really good sense for the ball reads and stuff like that," Toub said. "I'm excited about getting both (Moore and Pacheco) in there in the preseason and seeing what they can do."

Toub says he lost about six or seven regular special teams players in the offseason, like Ben Niemann for instance, who were reliable contributors in kickoff coverage and other aspects.

Toub says players like Noah Gray and Daurice Fountain are looking to fill some new roles, but Elijah Lee has done especially well in special teams.

"He's done outstanding," Toub said of Lee. "He's not a rookie. He's a veteran. He's got veteran experience on special teams. Counting on him. That's hands down."

Skyy Moore left practice early Tuesday due to a hip injury after making contact with Nazeeh Johnson during one-on-one drills. Moore has since indicated on social media that he is okay.

Tight end Jody Forston was held out for a second straight day Tuesday due to a quad sprain. Andy Reid said Monday that he'd expect Forston back within a few days.

Patrick Mahomes had a bit of extra tape on his lower left leg, but he operated just as normal Tuesday after being stepped on Monday.

Lucas Niang, Rashad Fenton and Prince Tega Wanogho remain on the physically unable to perform list.

Karlaftis has undoubtedly been one of the more exciting rookies this training camp.

The 30th overall pick out of Purdue this year, Karlaftis has worked with the first-team defense, anchoring the line along with veteran and fellow defensive end Frank Clark.

Clark has been seen working with Karlaftis numerous times after practice this camp, but Karlaftis says the entire D-line group has been helpful.

"From Frank and Chris (Jones) to Mike (Danna) and (Tershawn Wharton), everybody in the group is coming together as one," he said. "Frank helps me out after practice and Chris helps me out in his own way. Everyone helps me in their own way. We're trying to have the strongest group possible."

The Chiefs will also be joined this week by veteran defensive end Carlos Dunlap, who was just signed by the team last week. Dunlap owns 96 career sacks through 12 seasons in Cincinnati and Seattle.

Dunlap will report Wednesday and is set to start practicing Thursday.

"We're pumped to have (Dunlap) here eventually," Karlaftis said. "Almost 100 sacks in his career. Definitely a lot to learn from him. I think he's going to add a lot of value, just from the teaching standpoint."

The rookie linebacker out of Wisconsin has mostly worked with second&nbsp; defense in camp, but he had himself a nice day Tuesday, plugging gaps, working with the first-team sone and levying a big hit on running back Ronald Jones.

You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659467998339.jpeg" alt="Orlando Brown Jr. (57) was back on the practice field at training camp Tuesday. Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>Orlando Brown Jr. (57) was back on the practice field at training camp Tuesday. Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostAfter missing OTAs, mandatory minicamp and the first five practices at Chiefs training camp, starting left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. was back on the field with his teammates at training camp in St. Joseph Tuesday.He's on an acclimation plan, meaning he's not a full participant yet. Brown did install, individual drills and 9-on-7, but not full 11-on-11 team workouts.After being away for so long, working with the Chiefs on long-term contract negotiations, Brown says it was important for him to come back during the start of fully padded practices this week."I know how important this five-day stretch is to coach Reid and everybody here in KC," Brown said. "It didn't feel right, sitting at home and missing out on this. This is something I want to be a part of. I was brought here to help win Super Bowls."Brown signed his franchise tender Monday, which will pay him around $16.6 million this season. The Chiefs waived offensive lineman Chris Glaser as a result to make room on the active roster.Brown didn’t practice while he and the Chiefs worked on long-term contract negotiations, which for now have ultimately failed.The Chiefs' final offer to Brown was a six-year, $139 million deal that included a $30.25 million signing bonus and $95 million in the first five years of the contract. A lack of security with no guaranteed money after the first two years derailed any agreement, according to ESPN reports."It was difficult to be away from it for so long," Brown admitted, "but the understanding was that I had to do what I had to do."Despite the apparent saga, Brown reiterates his faithfulness to Kansas City, holds no grudges and wants to finish his career as a Chief."I love blocking for Pat Mahomes and I love putting the Chiefs logo on my helmet man," Brown said. "I really enjoy being here. I know that time will tell and things will taken care of with time. I just look forward to getting out on the field this year.""With the contract situation, there weren't enough guarantees, and I want to be here for the rest of my career in Kansas City. That's really important to me."Kick and punt return optionsWith Byron Pringle now in Chicago, the Chiefs have tried a few new players at kick and punt return. Mecole Hardman is a veteran at that spot, owning both a kickoff and punt return for a touchdown in his Kansas City career.Special teams coach David Toub says rookie running back Isiah Pacheco has caught his attention at kick return, and will start the preseason in that spot."He's promising," Toub said of the rookie running back out of Rutgers. "He's a big guy, 215 (pounds) plus, running a 4.37 (second 40-yard dash). That's kind of scary back there if we get that going."As for punt return, Toub mentioned Trent McDuffie and Hardman as options, but he's also excited about rookie Skyy Moore."(Moore) has a really good sense for the ball reads and stuff like that," Toub said. "I'm excited about getting both (Moore and Pacheco) in there in the preseason and seeing what they can do."Toub says he lost about six or seven regular special teams players in the offseason, like Ben Niemann for instance, who were reliable contributors in kickoff coverage and other aspects.Toub says players like Noah Gray and Daurice Fountain are looking to fill some new roles, but Elijah Lee has done especially well in special teams."He's done outstanding," Toub said of Lee. "He's not a rookie. He's a veteran. He's got veteran experience on special teams. Counting on him. That's hands down."Other injury newsSkyy Moore left practice early Tuesday due to a hip injury after making contact with Nazeeh Johnson during one-on-one drills. Moore has since indicated on social media that he is okay.Tight end Jody Forston was held out for a second straight day Tuesday due to a quad sprain. Andy Reid said Monday that he'd expect Forston back within a few days.Patrick Mahomes had a bit of extra tape on his lower left leg, but he operated just as normal Tuesday after being stepped on Monday.Lucas Niang, Rashad Fenton and Prince Tega Wanogho remain on the physically unable to perform list.George KarlaftisKarlaftis has undoubtedly been one of the more exciting rookies this training camp.The 30th overall pick out of Purdue this year, Karlaftis has worked with the first-team defense, anchoring the line along with veteran and fellow defensive end Frank Clark.Clark has been seen working with Karlaftis numerous times after practice this camp, but Karlaftis says the entire D-line group has been helpful."From Frank and Chris (Jones) to Mike (Danna) and (Tershawn Wharton), everybody in the group is coming together as one," he said. "Frank helps me out after practice and Chris helps me out in his own way. Everyone helps me in their own way. We're trying to have the strongest group possible."The Chiefs will also be joined this week by veteran defensive end Carlos Dunlap, who was just signed by the team last week. Dunlap owns 96 career sacks through 12 seasons in Cincinnati and Seattle.Dunlap will report Wednesday and is set to start practicing Thursday."We're pumped to have (Dunlap) here eventually," Karlaftis said. "Almost 100 sacks in his career. Definitely a lot to learn from him. I think he's going to add a lot of value, just from the teaching standpoint."Leo ChenalThe rookie linebacker out of Wisconsin has mostly worked with second&nbsp; defense in camp, but he had himself a nice day Tuesday, plugging gaps, working with the first-team sone and levying a big hit on running back Ronald Jones.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">Leo Chenal. Running with the first team defense <a href="https://t.co/WghaqGUVas">pic.twitter.com/WghaqGUVas</a>&mdash; KC Sports Network (@KCSportsNetwork) <a href="https://twitter.com/KCSportsNetwork/status/1554483705489629185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659471026814.jpeg" alt="Harrison Butker (7) and Elijah Lee (44)." />
 <figcaption>Harrison Butker (7) and Elijah Lee (44).</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659471042602.jpeg" alt="Willie Gay." />
 <figcaption>Willie Gay.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659471059531.jpeg" alt="Tommy Townsend." />
 <figcaption>Tommy Townsend.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659471103492.jpeg" alt="Chris Jones (95) and Joe Thuney (left, red) in one-on-one linemen drills." />
 <figcaption>Chris Jones (95) and Joe Thuney (left, red) in one-on-one linemen drills.</figcaption>
 </figure><div><div itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/VideoObject"><meta itemprop="uploadDate" content="Tue Aug 02 2022 15:12:04 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time)"/><meta itemprop="name" content="Chiefs Clips 8-2"/><meta itemprop="duration" content="P0Y0M0DT0H0M30S" /><meta itemprop="thumbnailUrl" content="https://content.jwplatform.com/thumbs/B83K9brH-960.jpg"/><meta itemprop="contentUrl" content="https://content.jwplatform.com/videos/B83K9brH-4TtZ4bid.mp4"/><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/B83K9brH-3PoaQByF.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Chiefs Clips 8-2" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></div>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Orlando Brown Jr. back on the field at Chiefs training camp Tuesday

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Nine student-athletes from the 2022 Fort Hays State Softball team were named Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar Athletes on Monday (Aug. 1). The individuals include&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6338">Loren Beggs</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6339">Sara Breckbill</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6636">Reese Curry</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6635">Regan Curry</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6342">Jessica Espinoza</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6356">Sydnee Hoffman</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6346">Lindsey Kelly</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6343">Betsy Parmley</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6348">Toni Schafer</a>. To earn the All-America Scholar-Athlete honor from the NFCA, an individual must hold a GPA of 3.5 or higher for the 2021-22 academic year. The nine Tigers were among 1,646 NCAA Division II student-athletes to receive the distinction. Click on the links provided above to see the NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete release or just the list of NCAA Division II recipients.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://nfca.org/divnews/general/easton-team-gpa-all-america-scholar-athlete-college-2022">NFCA Release</a> <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/documents/2022/8/1/Easton-NFCA-Scholar-Athlete-D2-21-22.pdf">NCAA II Honorees</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659446576423.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsLOUISVILLE, Ky. – Nine student-athletes from the 2022 Fort Hays State Softball team were named Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar Athletes on Monday (Aug. 1). The individuals include&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6338">Loren Beggs</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6339">Sara Breckbill</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6636">Reese Curry</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6635">Regan Curry</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6342">Jessica Espinoza</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6356">Sydnee Hoffman</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6346">Lindsey Kelly</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6343">Betsy Parmley</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6348">Toni Schafer</a>. To earn the All-America Scholar-Athlete honor from the NFCA, an individual must hold a GPA of 3.5 or higher for the 2021-22 academic year. The nine Tigers were among 1,646 NCAA Division II student-athletes to receive the distinction. Click on the links provided above to see the NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete release or just the list of NCAA Division II recipients.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://nfca.org/divnews/general/easton-team-gpa-all-america-scholar-athlete-college-2022">NFCA Release</a> <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/documents/2022/8/1/Easton-NFCA-Scholar-Athlete-D2-21-22.pdf">NCAA II Honorees</a>

 🥎 Nine from FHSU named Easton/NFCA All-America scholar athletes

CHICAGO (AP) — Salvador Perez and Whit Merrifield hit solo home runs, Daniel Lynch took a shutout into the sixth inning in his return from the injured list and the Kansas City Royals edged the Chicago White Sox 2-1 on Monday night for their second straight win.

Perez launched a monster blast for the second straight game and his third homer in four contests after missing 31 games with a left thumb injury and surgery. The seven-time All Star has eight RBIs in the span.

Merrifield’s drive into the left-field bullpen off Michael Kopech (4-7) in the sixth might have been his last with Kansas City. A two-time All Star in seven seasons with the Royals, the second baseman has been the subject of trade rumors heading into Tuesday’s deadline.

Tim Anderson and Andrew Vaughn each had two hits off Lynch, but the White Sox slipped back to .500 (51-51). Pinch-hitter Gavin Sheets drove in a run with sac fly in the seventh.

Chicago, 23-29 at home, failed in a bid to win three consecutive games at Guaranteed Rate Field for the first time this season.

Lynch (4-7) allowed six hits, struck out seven and walked none in 5 1/3 innings as he returned from a rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha and started in place of Brad Keller. The 6-foot-6 left-hander went on the injured list on July 18 with a blister on his pitching hand, the second time in a month the injury sidelined him.

Scott Barlow got the last six outs for his 17th save in 20 chances. He worked around a single in each of the last two innings.

Kopech allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings. He struck out three and walked one while throwing a career-high 100 pitches.

Perez’s 14th homer, off Kopech’s 2-1 slider in the fourth, was measured at 452 feet and put Kansas City ahead 1-0. The blast sailed over the multi-tiered center-field batter’s eye and bounced high off the concourse pavement in front of the scoreboard.

It came a day after Perez launched a three-run, 441-foot shot off Yankees All-Star closer Clay Holmes in the ninth inning in New York to lift the Royals to an 8-6 win. It was the first home run allowed this year by Holmes.

Merrifield went deep in the sixth to make it 2-0.

After Leury Garcia and Seby Zavala greeted reliever Wyatt Mills with singles in the seventh, Sheets’ deep fly scored Garcia to cut it to 2-1.

Perez has just three hits since coming back, but all have been homers.

The White Sox filled a gap in their bullpen by acquiring LHP Jake Diekman from Boston for catcher Reese McGuire and a player to be named or cash.

Diekman is 5-1 with a 4.23 ERA in 44 appearances this season. The 6-foot-4, 35-year-old is particularly tough on left-handed batters, holding them to a .188 batting average this year.

The Royals, who could be prominent sellers ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, made two minor deals to add organizational pitching depth.

Kansas City swapped 3B Emmanuel Rivera to the Arizona for RHP Luke Weaver, who was 1-1 with a 7.71 ERA for the Diamondbacks. The Royals sent cash to the Seattle Mariners for LHP Anthony Misiewicz, who was assigned to Triple-A Omaha

White Sox: CF Luis Robert was in the team’s clubhouse after a rehab stint at Triple-A Charlotte, but not reactivated from the IL. Manager Tony La Russa said it was unlikely the speedy outfielder would play in the three-game series against Kansas City. Robert exited a game at Minnesota on July 15 with blurred vision and lightheadedness and was placed on the retroactive to July 19. Last weekend, the White Sox said the 2020 Gold Glove winner was suffering from cold symptoms.

Royals: RHP Carlos Hernandez was optioned to Triple-A Omaha to make room for Lynch on the roster.

CHICAGO (AP) — Salvador Perez and Whit Merrifield hit solo home runs, Daniel Lynch took a shutout into the sixth inning in his return from the injured list and the Kansas City Royals edged the Chicago White Sox 2-1 on Monday night for their second straight win.Perez launched a monster blast for the second straight game and his third homer in four contests after missing 31 games with a left thumb injury and surgery. The seven-time All Star has eight RBIs in the span.Merrifield’s drive into the left-field bullpen off Michael Kopech (4-7) in the sixth might have been his last with Kansas City. A two-time All Star in seven seasons with the Royals, the second baseman has been the subject of trade rumors heading into Tuesday’s deadline.Tim Anderson and Andrew Vaughn each had two hits off Lynch, but the White Sox slipped back to .500 (51-51). Pinch-hitter Gavin Sheets drove in a run with sac fly in the seventh.Chicago, 23-29 at home, failed in a bid to win three consecutive games at Guaranteed Rate Field for the first time this season.Lynch (4-7) allowed six hits, struck out seven and walked none in 5 1/3 innings as he returned from a rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha and started in place of Brad Keller. The 6-foot-6 left-hander went on the injured list on July 18 with a blister on his pitching hand, the second time in a month the injury sidelined him.Scott Barlow got the last six outs for his 17th save in 20 chances. He worked around a single in each of the last two innings.Kopech allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings. He struck out three and walked one while throwing a career-high 100 pitches.Perez’s 14th homer, off Kopech’s 2-1 slider in the fourth, was measured at 452 feet and put Kansas City ahead 1-0. The blast sailed over the multi-tiered center-field batter’s eye and bounced high off the concourse pavement in front of the scoreboard.It came a day after Perez launched a three-run, 441-foot shot off Yankees All-Star closer Clay Holmes in the ninth inning in New York to lift the Royals to an 8-6 win. It was the first home run allowed this year by Holmes.Merrifield went deep in the sixth to make it 2-0.After Leury Garcia and Seby Zavala greeted reliever Wyatt Mills with singles in the seventh, Sheets’ deep fly scored Garcia to cut it to 2-1.ALL OR NOTHINGPerez has just three hits since coming back, but all have been homers.WHITE SOX ADD LEFTYThe White Sox filled a gap in their bullpen by acquiring LHP Jake Diekman from Boston for catcher Reese McGuire and a player to be named or cash.Diekman is 5-1 with a 4.23 ERA in 44 appearances this season. The 6-foot-4, 35-year-old is particularly tough on left-handed batters, holding them to a .188 batting average this year.ROYALS' DEALSThe Royals, who could be prominent sellers ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, made two minor deals to add organizational pitching depth.Kansas City swapped 3B Emmanuel Rivera to the Arizona for RHP Luke Weaver, who was 1-1 with a 7.71 ERA for the Diamondbacks. The Royals sent cash to the Seattle Mariners for LHP Anthony Misiewicz, who was assigned to Triple-A OmahaTRAINER’S ROOMWhite Sox: CF Luis Robert was in the team’s clubhouse after a rehab stint at Triple-A Charlotte, but not reactivated from the IL. Manager Tony La Russa said it was unlikely the speedy outfielder would play in the three-game series against Kansas City. Robert exited a game at Minnesota on July 15 with blurred vision and lightheadedness and was placed on the retroactive to July 19. Last weekend, the White Sox said the 2020 Gold Glove winner was suffering from cold symptoms.Royals: RHP Carlos Hernandez was optioned to Triple-A Omaha to make room for Lynch on the roster.

⚾ Salvy, Whit homer in Royals win over White Sox

By GERARD WELLBROCK 
Hays Post

WICHITA – Palmer Hutchison homered and Ben McLaughlin hit a three-run double in a key five-run fourth inning and the Hays Larks advance to single-elimination
bracket play at the 88th National Baseball Congress World Series after a 6-1
win over the Lonestar (TX) Kraken Monday night at Eck Stadium.

The Kraken struck first with a run on an infield single in
the top of the fourth but Hutchison tied the game with his home run to center
to open the bottom of the inning. Austen Jaslove put the Larks ahead for good
with a single to left which scored Leo Jiminan who doubled. The big blow came
from newcomer Ben McLaughlin who cleared the bases with a three-run double to
right to push the lead to 5-1.

The Larks (36-9) would add a run in the sixth on another double
by McLaughlin.

Starting pitcher Hunter Marshall (4-0) went seven innings
and allowed the one run on four hits with three strikeouts and three walks. Kaleb
Meredith and Coby Grimsley both pitched an inning of relief.

Jiminan and Hunter Rosson both had three of the Larks 10
hits. Jiminian had two doubles and Rosson one. McLaughlin added two doubles as the
Larks collect six extra-base hits on the night.

The Larks advance to single-elimination bracket play which
begins Thursday. They will open with last year’s runner-up, Lonestar Baseball
out of Texas at a yet to be determined time.

Lonestar finished 3-0 in their pool after a 12-1 win over
the 316 Sluggers in Monday’s late game.

By GERARD WELLBROCK 
Hays PostWICHITA – Palmer Hutchison homered and Ben McLaughlin hit a three-run double in a key five-run fourth inning and the Hays Larks advance to single-elimination
bracket play at the 88th National Baseball Congress World Series after a 6-1
win over the Lonestar (TX) Kraken Monday night at Eck Stadium.The Kraken struck first with a run on an infield single in
the top of the fourth but Hutchison tied the game with his home run to center
to open the bottom of the inning. Austen Jaslove put the Larks ahead for good
with a single to left which scored Leo Jiminan who doubled. The big blow came
from newcomer Ben McLaughlin who cleared the bases with a three-run double to
right to push the lead to 5-1.<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1316129956&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/08-01-22-larks-interview" title="Frank Leo Postgame vs. Lonestar (TX) Kraken (Aug 1, 2022)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Frank Leo Postgame vs. Lonestar (TX) Kraken (Aug 1, 2022)</a></div></div>The Larks (36-9) would add a run in the sixth on another double
by McLaughlin.Starting pitcher Hunter Marshall (4-0) went seven innings
and allowed the one run on four hits with three strikeouts and three walks. Kaleb
Meredith and Coby Grimsley both pitched an inning of relief.Jiminan and Hunter Rosson both had three of the Larks 10
hits. Jiminian had two doubles and Rosson one. McLaughlin added two doubles as the
Larks collect six extra-base hits on the night.<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1316130013&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/08-01-22-larks-highlights" title="Hays Larks vs. Lonestar (TX) Kraken Highlights (Aug 1, 2022)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Hays Larks vs. Lonestar (TX) Kraken Highlights (Aug 1, 2022)</a></div></div>The Larks advance to single-elimination bracket play which
begins Thursday. They will open with last year’s runner-up, Lonestar Baseball
out of Texas at a yet to be determined time.Lonestar finished 3-0 in their pool after a 12-1 win over
the 316 Sluggers in Monday’s late game.

⚾ Larks advance to bracket play at the NBC World Series

KANSAS
CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals
announced today that they have acquired right-handed pitcher Luke Weaver from Arizona for infielder Emmanuel Rivera. 

Weaver,
who turns 29 on Aug. 21, has made 12 appearances (1 start) for the Diamondbacks
this season, striking out 19 batters while walking only five, good for a 3.8
K/BB ratio. He missed most of April and all of May while on the Injured List
with right shoulder inflammation, but over 8 appearances in July, he allowed just
1 run on 4 hits while striking out 8, for a 1.13 ERA (8.0 IP).

Over
parts of seven seasons, he has gone 24-36 with a 4.76 ERA (228 ER in 431.1 IP),
443 strikeouts and a 1.38 WHIP. Prior to 2022, he made 80 of his first 89
appearances as a starting pitcher. From 2019-21, he has been teammates with Taylor Clarke, Zack Greinke and Joel
Payamps. 

He
was originally signed by the St. Louis Cardinals as a first-round pick (27th
overall) in the 2014 MLB Draft out of Florida State University and was acquired
by the D-backs in Dec. 2018.

Rivera,
26, appeared in 63 games with the Royals this season, posting a .237/.284/.399
slashline with 17 extra-base hits and 22 RBI, while playing in 57 games (53
starts) at third base. He was originally selected by the Royals in the 19th
round of the 2015 MLB Draft out of Universidad Interamericana in Puerto Rico. 

The Royals will make
a corresponding roster move when Weaver reports to the Major League club.

Kansas City RoyalsKANSAS
CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals
announced today that they have acquired right-handed pitcher Luke Weaver from Arizona for infielder Emmanuel Rivera. Weaver,
who turns 29 on Aug. 21, has made 12 appearances (1 start) for the Diamondbacks
this season, striking out 19 batters while walking only five, good for a 3.8
K/BB ratio. He missed most of April and all of May while on the Injured List
with right shoulder inflammation, but over 8 appearances in July, he allowed just
1 run on 4 hits while striking out 8, for a 1.13 ERA (8.0 IP).Over
parts of seven seasons, he has gone 24-36 with a 4.76 ERA (228 ER in 431.1 IP),
443 strikeouts and a 1.38 WHIP. Prior to 2022, he made 80 of his first 89
appearances as a starting pitcher. From 2019-21, he has been teammates with Taylor Clarke, Zack Greinke and Joel
Payamps. He
was originally signed by the St. Louis Cardinals as a first-round pick (27th
overall) in the 2014 MLB Draft out of Florida State University and was acquired
by the D-backs in Dec. 2018.Rivera,
26, appeared in 63 games with the Royals this season, posting a .237/.284/.399
slashline with 17 extra-base hits and 22 RBI, while playing in 57 games (53
starts) at third base. He was originally selected by the Royals in the 19th
round of the 2015 MLB Draft out of Universidad Interamericana in Puerto Rico. The Royals will make
a corresponding roster move when Weaver reports to the Major League club.

⚾ Royals trade Rivera to Arizona for RHP Luke Weaver

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. reported to training camp Monday, the same day pads went on for the Kansas City Chiefs, giving Patrick Mahomes his blindside protector with plenty of time before their preseason opener.

Brown and the Chiefs had been working throughout the offseason on a long-term contract, but the sides were unable to come together before the mid-July deadline.

Brown ultimately rejected the Chiefs' final offer of six years and nearly $140 million — with $30.25 million due at signing — and decided to play out this season on the franchise tag.

In effect, Brown is gambling that his play this season will warrant an even bigger deal next offseason.

“It's hard to mimic the game speed and putting the uniform on and so on — the helmet and pads — when you're doing stuff on your own. You have to go through that to get yourself right and he understands that," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said after practice on a hot, humid morning. “He will just have to catch up on the new stuff and then the conditioning stuff.”

Brown, who will be due about $16.7 million under the franchise tag, skipped the offseason program and first week of camp, though he was not fined because he was not under contract. He still was not on the field Monday as he checked into camp, but is expected at practice this week; the Chiefs open the preseason Aug. 13 in Chicago.

“You have a right to throw him back in and go,” Reid said. “When he gets here, we'll talk to him and see where he's at.”

Roderick Johnson has been playing left tackle with the first team during the first week of camp, and that could give him the inside track on being the primary backup. He appeared in 29 games with six starts over three seasons in Houston.

While Johnson had earned rave reviews, the importance of having the Chiefs' best offensive line on the field was clear Monday when the pocket got pushed back and Mahomes got his foot stepped on. The Pro Bowl quarterback hobbled off the field and spent time with trainer Rick Burkholder before returning for final jogging and stretching.

Mahomes is not expected to miss any time in camp, but the close call is precisely what the 26-year-old Brown is expected to help prevent from happening. He only allowed four sacks and 37 pressures in his first season with Kansas City, and no sacks over the Chiefs' final five regular-season games.

With the 6-foot-8, 360-pound Brown back on the field, the Chiefs return their entire offensive line from last season.

And given that 29-year-old left guard Joe Thuney is the elder statesman, and 23-year-olds Creed Humphrey at center and Trey Smith at right guard have a year of experience, the group could take a dramatic step forward this season.

“Everybody in this building loves Big O,” Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said with a smile. “Hopefully we get him here and acclimated as soon as possible. It's been a different locker room (without him in camp). Such a big dude, big personality. He brings a lot of life to the group and I'm happy to have him back.”

Notes: Reid did not sound concerned about Mahomes' ankle. “He got stepped on," Reid said. “He's fine.” ... TE Jody Fortson (quad) did conditioning and rehab work after getting hurt in Saturday's workout. ... Kelce is among numerous players who complained about the new Guardian Caps, which some players are required to wear over their helmets at practice through the first two preseason games. They are designed to minimize the impact of helmet-to-helmet hits. “We're out there wearing these mushroom caps that are just adding weight to our heads,” Kelce said. “Hope we get rid of them.”

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. reported to training camp Monday, the same day pads went on for the Kansas City Chiefs, giving Patrick Mahomes his blindside protector with plenty of time before their preseason opener.Brown and the Chiefs had been working throughout the offseason on a long-term contract, but the sides were unable to come together before the mid-July deadline.Brown ultimately rejected the Chiefs' final offer of six years and nearly $140 million — with $30.25 million due at signing — and decided to play out this season on the franchise tag.In effect, Brown is gambling that his play this season will warrant an even bigger deal next offseason.“It's hard to mimic the game speed and putting the uniform on and so on — the helmet and pads — when you're doing stuff on your own. You have to go through that to get yourself right and he understands that," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said after practice on a hot, humid morning. “He will just have to catch up on the new stuff and then the conditioning stuff.”Brown, who will be due about $16.7 million under the franchise tag, skipped the offseason program and first week of camp, though he was not fined because he was not under contract. He still was not on the field Monday as he checked into camp, but is expected at practice this week; the Chiefs open the preseason Aug. 13 in Chicago.“You have a right to throw him back in and go,” Reid said. “When he gets here, we'll talk to him and see where he's at.”Roderick Johnson has been playing left tackle with the first team during the first week of camp, and that could give him the inside track on being the primary backup. He appeared in 29 games with six starts over three seasons in Houston.While Johnson had earned rave reviews, the importance of having the Chiefs' best offensive line on the field was clear Monday when the pocket got pushed back and Mahomes got his foot stepped on. The Pro Bowl quarterback hobbled off the field and spent time with trainer Rick Burkholder before returning for final jogging and stretching.Mahomes is not expected to miss any time in camp, but the close call is precisely what the 26-year-old Brown is expected to help prevent from happening. He only allowed four sacks and 37 pressures in his first season with Kansas City, and no sacks over the Chiefs' final five regular-season games.With the 6-foot-8, 360-pound Brown back on the field, the Chiefs return their entire offensive line from last season.And given that 29-year-old left guard Joe Thuney is the elder statesman, and 23-year-olds Creed Humphrey at center and Trey Smith at right guard have a year of experience, the group could take a dramatic step forward this season.“Everybody in this building loves Big O,” Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said with a smile. “Hopefully we get him here and acclimated as soon as possible. It's been a different locker room (without him in camp). Such a big dude, big personality. He brings a lot of life to the group and I'm happy to have him back.”Notes: Reid did not sound concerned about Mahomes' ankle. “He got stepped on," Reid said. “He's fine.” ... TE Jody Fortson (quad) did conditioning and rehab work after getting hurt in Saturday's workout. ... Kelce is among numerous players who complained about the new Guardian Caps, which some players are required to wear over their helmets at practice through the first two preseason games. They are designed to minimize the impact of helmet-to-helmet hits. “We're out there wearing these mushroom caps that are just adding weight to our heads,” Kelce said. “Hope we get rid of them.”

🏈Chiefs LT Brown reports to camp, set to sign franchise tag

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals acquired left-hander Anthony Misiewicz from the Seattle Mariners for cash considerations Monday.

The 27-year-old Misiewicz, who will be added to the Royals' 40-man roster and optioned to Triple-A Omaha, appeared in 17 games for Seattle this season with a 4.61 ERA. He was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on June 10, where he had a 3.65 ERA in 13 appearances.

Misiewicz made his big league debut in 2020 and led Seattle in appearances in each of his first two seasons, including a career-best 66 last season, when his 19 holds ranked eighth in the American League.

Misiewicz was teammates in Seattle with Wyatt Mills, whom the Royals acquired from the Mariners on June 27.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals acquired left-hander Anthony Misiewicz from the Seattle Mariners for cash considerations Monday.The 27-year-old Misiewicz, who will be added to the Royals' 40-man roster and optioned to Triple-A Omaha, appeared in 17 games for Seattle this season with a 4.61 ERA. He was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on June 10, where he had a 3.65 ERA in 13 appearances.Misiewicz made his big league debut in 2020 and led Seattle in appearances in each of his first two seasons, including a career-best 66 last season, when his 19 holds ranked eighth in the American League.Misiewicz was teammates in Seattle with Wyatt Mills, whom the Royals acquired from the Mariners on June 27.

⚾Royals acquire LHP Anthony Misiewicz from Seattle for cash

The Hays Larks play the Lonestar (TX) Kraken at the NBC World Series at Eck Stadium in Wichita. The winner advances to bracket play. The loser is done.

Game time is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.&nbsp; Listen on 96.9, KFIX or click on the link below.

<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KFIX">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a>

The Hays Larks play the Lonestar (TX) Kraken at the NBC World Series at Eck Stadium in Wichita. The winner advances to bracket play. The loser is done.Game time is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.&nbsp; Listen on 96.9, KFIX or click on the link below.<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KFIX">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a>

🎧 LISTEN - Hays Larks vs. Lonestar Kraken at NBC World Series

By TOMMY REZAC St. Joseph Post

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — It was a warm, muggy day for the first fully padded practice at Chiefs training camp Monday.

It
 was a productive, straightforward practice that was a bit shorter, per 
NFL rules. There was a brief scare for fans when Patrick Mahomes 
slightly tweaked his left leg toward the end of practice.

He
 went to the medical tent to get tape on his lower left leg, and he was 
back on the field doing individual drills before practice ended.

Head coach Andy Reid says Mahomes will be fine, and he felt that the first day in pads was solid overall.

"You
 play in these things and you get used to them," he said. "That's what 
this is all about. We try to do it where guys are off the ground and 
they can get the work in and keep people healthy, but still play hard 
and get ourselves into football shape for a game."

Going back to 
Mahomes briefly, he told ESPN's Adam Teicher, "I got stepped on pretty 
hard... luckily it wasn't any of the ankle or anything like that."

Elsewhere, tight end Jody Forston was held out Monday with a quad strain, but he’ll be back in a few days, says Reid.

No
 Orlando Brown Jr. yet, though he’s expected to be at camp any day. 
Reports Monday indicate that Brown has signed his franchise tag, which 
will pay him $16.6 million this season.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659379020823.jpeg" alt="Patrick Mahomes (15), Shane Buechele (6) and Chad Henne (4) come down the hill to start practice Monday. Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>Patrick Mahomes (15), Shane Buechele (6) and Chad Henne (4) come down the hill to start practice Monday. Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZAC St. Joseph PostST. JOSEPH, Mo. — It was a warm, muggy day for the first fully padded practice at Chiefs training camp Monday.It
 was a productive, straightforward practice that was a bit shorter, per 
NFL rules. There was a brief scare for fans when Patrick Mahomes 
slightly tweaked his left leg toward the end of practice.He
 went to the medical tent to get tape on his lower left leg, and he was 
back on the field doing individual drills before practice ended.Head coach Andy Reid says Mahomes will be fine, and he felt that the first day in pads was solid overall."You
 play in these things and you get used to them," he said. "That's what 
this is all about. We try to do it where guys are off the ground and 
they can get the work in and keep people healthy, but still play hard 
and get ourselves into football shape for a game."Going back to 
Mahomes briefly, he told ESPN's Adam Teicher, "I got stepped on pretty 
hard... luckily it wasn't any of the ankle or anything like that."Elsewhere, tight end Jody Forston was held out Monday with a quad strain, but he’ll be back in a few days, says Reid.No
 Orlando Brown Jr. yet, though he’s expected to be at camp any day. 
Reports Monday indicate that Brown has signed his franchise tag, which 
will pay him $16.6 million this season.Brown has to pass a 
physical and conditioning test before practicing. Reid said he doesn't 
precisely know when Brown will be on the field."When he gets 
here, we'll talk to him and see where he's at and be smart with it," 
Reid said. "When the fish is in the boat, I'll let you know."Brown
 was acquired in a trade with the Ravens last year and he’s a three-time
 Pro Bowler. He’s expected to again be the go-to guy at left tackle. In 
his absence, fifth-year pro Roderick Johnson has been anchoring that 
position.<div><div itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/VideoObject"><meta itemprop="uploadDate" content="Mon Aug 01 2022 14:46:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time)"/><meta itemprop="name" content="Chiefs training camp 8-1"/><meta itemprop="duration" content="P0Y0M0DT0H0M26S" /><meta itemprop="thumbnailUrl" content="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/thumbs/JRZhD0in-720.jpg"/><meta itemprop="contentUrl" content="https://content.jwplatform.com/videos/JRZhD0in-25NauLGk.m4a"/><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/JRZhD0in-KcBmu4K3.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Chiefs training camp 8-1" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></div>Elijah LeeThe former Blue Springs and Kansas State star is in his sixth year in the NFL and his first in a Chiefs uniform.Needless to say, he's happy to be home."I
 went to high school in Blue Springs, so I was 15 miles east of the 
stadium," Lee said. "Just riding by, you wish and hope to be in this 
position. Now that I'm in it, I'm thankful. It's a blessing and I have 
to take advantage of the opportunity."Lee has been getting 
first-team reps at outside linebacker after spending a decent chunk of 
his career either on practice squads or special teams. He’s grasped the 
scheme well, but Lee wants to keep earning his spot."I'm a guy 
trying to earn my spot and I do that each and every way," he said. "So, 
whatever my role is, I'm going to take advantage of that, and then we 
can talk after that. But, right now, it's all about the work."&nbsp;Lee
 spent his freshman and sophomore year of high school at St. Joseph 
Central before transferring to Blue Springs. He says being back at the 
Mosaic Training Fields does invoke some memories from his days in St. 
Joe."We used to come over here and I was a towel boy and gave the
 water," Lee recalled. "So, I got to hand over towels to Tamba Hali and 
Justin Houston. And I'm like, 'Wow. Like, this is amazing.' So now, to 
come back and be in this position, this is a great opportunity."Lee
 has spent time with the Vikings, 49ers, Lions and Browns. He's appeared
 in 66 games, making six starts. He owns 99 career tackles, including 
four tackles for loss.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659383199698.jpeg" alt="Travis Kelce" />
 <figcaption>Travis Kelce</figcaption>
 </figure>Travis Kelce - likes the Chiefs, but not the helmet guardian capsThe
 seven-time Pro Bowler and a fan favorite at tight end, Kelce is 
entering his 10th season with the Chiefs - all under Andy Reid.Kelce left no doubt - he'll finish out his career in Kansas City."I
 don't see myself going anywhere else, man," he said. "(Reid) makes the 
game fun, makes the game easy on a lot of us. On top of that, we know 
he's giving it his all. I joke about it all the time - I never see his 
car move from the parking lot at Arrowhead. He's doing everything he can
 to set us up for success."While Kelce is fond of the Kingdom, 
he's not so fond of the new guardian caps - the soft shells that go over
 players’ helmets and are designed to curb head injuries.Linemen, linebackers and tight ends are all required to wear them through the second week of the preseason. Numerous other players around the league have been critical of them. That list now includes Kelce."I think the guardian caps are silly," Kelce remarked, noting that they look like "mushroom caps" that "add extra weight."The Chiefs are back at practice Tuesday morning.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659383114115.jpeg" alt="Juju Smith-Schuster (9) goes for a catch during warmups." />
 <figcaption>Juju Smith-Schuster (9) goes for a catch during warmups.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659383184664.jpeg" alt="Ronald Jones" />
 <figcaption>Ronald Jones</figcaption>
 </figure>