Sanchez signs on to be Bears backup QB
The Chicago Bears continued their quarterback makeover yesterday by signing veteran Mark Sanchez, who is expected to back up Mike Glennon next season.
Chicago is coming off a season in which it went 3-13 and finished last in the NFC North. The Bears cut quarterback Jay Cutler this month after eight seasons and signed Glennon of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a three-year deal.
Sanchez, signed to a one-year contract, gives them an experienced backup. With three quarterbacks, including prospect Connor Shaw, the Bears now have some flexibility to address other positions in the draft next month. Chicago owns the No. 3 pick.
Sanchez was released by Denver last year after losing a preseason competition for the starting job to Trevor Siemian. He then backed up NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Dak Prescott in Dallas. . . .
The Panthers signed veteran running back Jonathan Stewart to a one-year contract extension. Stewart, 30, ran for 824 yards with nine each spent 19 seasons in the league. Bruce received seven first-team All-Pro selections and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Clay Jr. was a four-time Pro Bowler for Cleveland. Five of his grandsons also played in the NFL.
Baseball: Tigers lose RF
Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez is expected to miss the beginning of the season with a right foot injury. Martinez sprained his foot last weekend, and is expected to be out 3-4 weeks. Martinez hit .307 with 22 home runs and 68 RBI in 120 games last season. . . .
The Chicago White Sox scratched Carlos Rodon from his spring start yesterday due to left biceps tightness, and general manager Rick Hahn said the left-hander likely would begin the season on the disabled list. . . .
Colorado Rockies hard-throwing righty Jon Gray left his spring training start in the third inning for precautionary reasons with soreness in his left foot. The third overall pick in 2013, Gray went 10-10 with a 4.61 ERA last season.
Misc.: Soccer famers
Brandi Chastain, a forward on the 1991 and 1999 World Cup champions, and midfielder Shannon MacMillan, a 1996 Olympic gold medalist and World Cup champion three years later, were inducted into the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame in San Jose, Calif. . . .
Kyle Larson turned a lap in 38.493 seconds to claim the pole for the NASCAR race in Fontana, Calif. Denny Hamlin clocked in at 38.507 seconds to earn the fifth front-row start of his career. Larson has finished second in three consecutive races. . . .
Unions representing NHL and Major League Baseball players backed U.S. Women’s National Hockey team players’ decision to boycott next week’s world championships over a wage dispute while also panning USA Hockey’s bid to stock the team with replacements.