built on a 14-point halftime lead to put the gam

CHICAGO -- A player sidelined for the season and rehabbing a wrecked knee is nonetheless drawing a surprising amount of interest as the major league trading deadline approaches.Kyle Schwarber, the Chicago Cubs 23-year-old slugger, is the subject of trade rumors and conjecture even though he has not stepped up to home plate and swung a bat since April 7.One rumor with traction on social media has the New York Yankees offering relievers Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman, who unleashed a 105 mph fastball on Monday, in exchange for Schwarber, who had 16 homers in 69 regular-season and playoff games in 2015.One former general manager suggested the Cubs swap Schwarber for Texas Rangers ace Cole Hamels, who beat the Cubs in a 4-1 decision on Sunday.Chicago, which concludes a three-game series with the New York Mets on Wednesday at Wrigley Field, may indeed need some relief or starting pitching help down the stretch.But theres no current evidence that Schwarber is part of any trade talks and Cubs officials reportedly have no desire to part with their versatile young catcher/outfielder.In fact, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said he has had no conversations with any players about potential trades.Its always tough -- the rumor mill, Maddon said this week. If I feel its really getting hot with one guy, well say something to him. But Ill only say something to him to him if I know exactly what Im saying.No conversations yet.Schwarber suffered the a season-ending injury in early April in an outfield collision with teammate Dexter Fowler. Schwarber had a torn ACL and an LCL in his left knee plus a left ankle sprain.The Cubs have made a point to keep Schwarber around and involved as he rehabs. He takes part in meetings, is in the dugout and got a big hand when he snared a foul ball in the dugout this week.I like the fact that he comes out, hes staying involved, Maddon said. Hes in the greeting line every time we win. Its very important to have him stay connected like that for next year and the guys love having him around.Schwarber was the subject of a humorous video on the Wrigley Field board as the Cubs uncovered a 2015 video of Schwarber performing in a high school choir.Several current teammates donned gray suits, purple shirts and pink ties -- similar to what Schwarber wore -- and were spliced into the video and danced along with the high school Schwarber.The Cubs send RHP Kyle Hendricks (8-6, 2.41 ERA) against Mets right-hander Bartolo Colon (8-4, 3.11) in Wednesdays series finale.Hendricks is 2-0 with a 0.69 ERA in two career regular-season starts against the Mets, both at Citi Field. He started Game 3 of the NLCS last season at Wrigley Field, allowing two runs and five hits in four innings.Colon beat the Cubs for his seventh victory of the season on July 3, throwing six innings while allowing two runs and four hits. He struck out five and walked three.Michael Conforto, called up Monday from Triple-A Las Vegas, was in the starting lineup on Tuesday in left field, but Mets manager Terry Collins said this week that hell likely see time in center as Yoenis Cespedes moves over to left field after playing 61 games in the middle this season.Were taxing his body pretty heavily by putting him in center field, Collins told reporters. I just think if hes in left field where hes comfortable, and theres not so much emphasis on the defensive side, that hell go back and do what we hope he can do -- and thats be a big production guy.Conforto played 56 games in left during an earlier stint with the Mets before being sent down to Triple-A Las Vegas.Wednesday afternoons game concludes the seven-game regular-season series between the teams. The Cubs swept all seven meetings last year. The Mets took four straight in New York in the first 2016 meetings. Brian Elliott Flyers Jersey . 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SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- ?Notre Dames V.J. Beachem scored 21 points Friday night and teammate Bonzie Colson added 19 as the Irish coasted to an 83-48 victory over visiting Loyola of Maryland.Right now, he is just so darn confident, said Notre Dame coach Mike Brey, whose team improved to 3-0. Hes a very, very confident guy.Beachem scored in a variety of ways -- 3-pointers, drives to the basket, from the free-throw line.Thats what was neat tonight, Brey said. Hes a moving target.Beachem fueled a first-half spurt in which the Irish overcame an early deficit to wrestle control of the game. Trailing 10-6, Beachem scored 10 points during a 23-5 run as the Irish opened up a big lead.Just to get in a rhythm like that and the guys finding me, it feels great, Beachem said.V.J. Beachems really good, said Loyola coach G.G. Smith, whose team fell to 1-3. We let him dominate the game today.??Colson killed us too.As well as Beachem and Colson played offensively, the talk after the game was how well the Irish played defensively. Notre Dame forced 18 turnovers and limited the Greyhounds to 16 of 54 from the field (29 percent).I loved how we defended. I thought we were flying all over the place. Love that energy, Brey saidAndre Walker, Andrew Kostecka, Jarred Jones and James Fives each scored eight points to top Loyola. Walker entered thhe game averaging 15 points per game while Jones came in with a 14-point average.ddddddddddddNotre Dame steadily built on a 14-point halftime lead to put the game away. The Irish connected on 34 of 70 shots from the field (48 percent), including 10 of 25?from 3-point range (40 percent).The Irish dressed in all green uniforms on their home court, and the look stood out to Brey, especially when his team was dazzling on defense.The speed defense was amazing to watch, Brey said, and with these green uniforms, I was getting cross-eyed.?BIG PICTURENotre Dame: The Irish are in the midst of a busy stretch with Fridays game their second in three days. Notre Dames victory over Seattle Wednesday began a 14-day span in which it will play six games.Loyola: The Greyhounds lost for the third time in four outings. Loyolas first two losses came by five and four points prior to Fridays 35-point setback to the Irish.UP NEXTNotre Dame: Notre Dame hits the road for the first time this season when it plays Colorado Monday against Colorado in the Legends Classic at Barclays Center in New York.Loyola: After opening with three of its first four away from home, Loyola will entertain Fairfield Wednesday afternoon. ' ' '