FORT MYERS, Fla. -- There's no denying Chris Sale is entering a new phase of his career this season, but it isn't for the reason you would think.
For the first time as a big league pitcher, Sale won't be working with Don Cooper.
Cooper, 60, has been the Chicago White Sox's pitching coach since 2002, which means he has overseen each of the 17,271 pitches Sale has thrown since his major league debut in 2010. He helped ease Sale's transition from the bullpen to the starting rotation in 2012, coaxed the ace lefty through five All-Star seasons and even convinced him to change his style of pitching last year.