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Joe Nathan could be headed for Tommy John surgery and Jose Reyes may or may not have a thyroid issue. A special spring-time Dose is here.
Anthony Ballantoni suggests drivers not rated as track favorites to fill your fantasy team for the Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
LeBron and T-Mac took another night off, Collison dropped 20 dimes, and Zach, Jamison and Peja went down.
Don't miss this week's installment of Waiver Wired. It could make or break your fantasy season.
Johnny Mac previews the Blue Monster in Miami, FL and discusses who should play at both tournaments on the PGA Tour.
Adam Levitan ranks the five biggest fantasy winners and losers in free agency so far.
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Player News
Albert Pujols (back) is in the lineup for Wednesday's spring game. Pujols is batting in his normal No. 3 hole, with Felipe Lopez in front of him and Matt Holliday at cleanup. Albert missed Monday and Tuesday's action due to a sore back, but it sounds like he's just fine.
Allen Craig (quad) returned to the Cardinals' lineup Wednesday. Craig sat out for close to a week with a left quad injury. "I feel good," he said Wednesday. "I'm not going to go out there and bust it 110 percent if I feel anything, but I feel good." The 25-year-old hit .322/.374/.547 with 26 home runs and 83 RBI for Triple-A Memphis last season and is trying to land the Cardinals' fourth outfield spot this spring.
According to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun, the Twins have expressed interest in Jays reliever Jason Frasor. The Cubs have also expressed interest lately in the 32-year-old right-hander. Frasor looks to be the odd man out in Toronto's ninth-inning competition and would probably love the chance to close in Minnesota. He had a 7-3 record, 2.50 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 11 saves in 14 chances last season.
According to WEEI.com's Lou Merloni, Nomar Garciappara will sign a one-day contract Tuesday and retire as a member of the Red Sox. It's a nice nod to Nomar, who played his first eight seasons in a Red Sox uniform and will retire with an impressive .313/.361/.521 career batting line over 5,596 major league at-bats. The Sox have a formal press conference scheduled for 10:30am EST on Tuesday morning.
In an interview with Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes, Jose Reyes denied having a thyroid problem. "The specialists who took care of me in New York have told me that I'm fine and that there's nothing wrong with my thyroid," said Reyes. "The test [taken to follow one conducted during his physical] showed that I'm fine. We just have to wait for the results of the additional test. The [doctors] found inflammation in my throat and no medicine to treat the thyroid or any other condition has been prescribed." This is counter to what the Mets told the media earlier this evening, so we hope to hear some clarification on his diagnosis.
Jayson Werth was 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and two runs scored in a 7-4 win over the Braves on Tuesday night. The second-inning shot off starter Kenshin Kawakami was his first of the spring. The Phillies pulled away from the Braves in the sixth inning by scoring five runs, including a two-run double by Ben Francisco and a two-run single by John Mayberry Jr.
NASCAR will conduct a test at Road America on March 24th and has turned to Roush Fenway Racing and crew chief Mike Kelly to conduct the test while road-course ace Boris Said will be the driver. Said has 20 NASCAR Nationwide Series starts to his credit and 14 of those have come on road courses. He's collected two poles and six top-five finishes in those races. His best result was a second-place finish in the
2006 event in Mexico City from the pole. He's run in each of the three races in Mexico City and Montreal, however, he won't compete in the June 19 event at Road America. That factor is a must for the test driver. Jeff Burton and Richard Childress Racing handled the Mexico City test while RCR and Terry Labonte were on point for the test in Montreal. Neither driver participated in the inaugural races at those tracks. -NASCAR PR
Matthew Huffstetler and William Keith have been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for violating the sanctioning body's substance abuse policy. On March 5, both were found to have violated Sections 12-1 and 19 (violation of the NASCAR substance abuse policy) of the 2010 NASCAR rule book. Huffstetler is a crew member on the No. 01 Daisy Ramirez Motorsports Truck Series team. In two starts, the No. 01 finished 10th at Daytona with driver J.J. Yeley and failed to qualify at Atlanta with driver Carl Long. Keith is a crew member for Front Row Motorsports' No. 38 driven by David Gilliland in the Cup Series. After four races, the No. 38 is 32nd in owner points. -NASCAR PR
Matthew Huffstetler and William Keith have been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for violating the sanctioning body's substance abuse policy. On March 5, both were found to have violated Sections 12-1 and 19 (violation of the NASCAR substance abuse policy) of the 2010 NASCAR rule book. Huffstetler is a crew member on the No. 01 Daisy Ramirez Motorsports Truck Series team. In two starts, the No. 01 finished 10th at Daytona with driver J.J. Yeley and failed to qualify at Atlanta with driver Carl Long. Keith is a crew member for Front Row Motorsports' No. 38 driven by David Gilliland in the Cup Series. After four races, the No. 38 is 32nd in owner points. -NASCAR PR
NASCAR has placed Carl Edwards, driver of the No. 99 car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, on probation for the next three series events for a rule violation he committed during the race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 7. Edwards' probation will run until April 14 of this year. Edwards was found to have violated Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing - aggressive driving) of the 2010 NASCAR rule book. -NASCAR PR
Kyle Busch finished a disappointing 25th in Sunday's Kobalt Tools 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway after being involved in a late-race accident while running in the top-10. The driver of the No. 18 M&M's Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) was seventh on lap 331 of the 341-lap event, but was caught up in an accident not of his doing just one lap later and needed several subsequent pit stops to repair the damage. -True Speed Communication
Ryan Newman battled through handling and tire issues to score a hard-fought 17th-place finish in Sunday's Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. He lost two laps about midway through the event when he made an unscheduled pit stop for a shredded right-front tire. Despite the issue, Newman was able to make calculated gambles to pick up 12 spots in the closing laps of the race, which ended in a green-white-checkered finish. -True Speed Communications
Baron Davis missed the Tuesday morning practice, opting to stay at the hotel with a stomach ailment. The guard was then benched for the start of the game due to his absence. Davis was unhappy with coach Kim Hughes' decision saying, "If my health caused me to miss a one-hour, walk-around practice, and that determines my position on the team, then I'm not going to be happy." This kind of stuff coupled with the Mike Dunleavy dismissal is a perfect recipe for a rough final stretch of the season for the Clippers.
Luke Walton is hoping to return to game action in early April. The small forward has been sidelined with a pinched nerve in his back for most of the season. His return will come at the very end of the season so don't pay him any attention on waiver wires.
Rafer Alston spoke on Tuesday about why he left the Heat and cited his sister's suicide attempt as a main reason for his departure. Alston was apparently told that he wouldn't be playing much going forward so he decided to take care of personal matters. Alston: "I felt the best thing was for me to be with my loved one." Alston is likely done for the season.
Luol Deng will undergo an MRI Wednesday to determine the severity of his right calf strain. Deng left Tuesday's game early in the fourth quarter and we should know more about the injury on Thursday after the results are revealed.
Elton Brand has vowed to improve his game in the off-season, saying "For myself I just want to continue to play hard and get better." He also commented that he needed to work on the Princeton offense, but with Eddie Jordan's job security in jeopardy for next season, that may be a lost cause. It's been a frustrating year for Brand owners but he's still putting up solid numbers when given consistent playing time.
Rodney Stuckey is still unsure of when he'll return to the court and when asked when he might come back he simply said, "I don't know." The guard is awaiting clearance from doctors, however with the Pistons essentially out of the playoff race, the team certainly won't be rushing him back after his scary incident last week. Will Bynum is a really good option going forward but his value will immediately take a huge hit upon Stuckey's return.
Byron Bitz sustained a lower body injury in the second period of Tuesday's game. Bitz was seen limping around after the game with what looks like a strain. Coach Pete DeBoer said Bitz will be evaluated on Wednesday.
Michael Frolik has scored four goals in his last three games. Before Frolik's recent hot streak, he hadn't scored a goal in 16 straight contests. That pretty much summarizes the up-and-down season Frolik has had. He scored 21 goals and 45 points in his rookie season, but he hasn't improved in 2009-10. However, now that he's back on the Panthers' top line, he could finish the season on a high note. Frolik still has plenty of offensive upside and should be regarded as a sleeper pick next season.
Andrew Raycroft is expected to get the start for Vancouver on Wednesday against Phoenix. Raycroft's last start came on March 2nd against Columbus. Roberto Lunogo played on Tuesday in the Canucks' 6-4 win over Colorado and it looks like he will get the night off.
Ryan Kesler extended his recent point streak to 10 games on Tuesday by collecting two assists in Vancouver's 6-4 win over Colorado. He has registered five goals and seven helpers during his scoring stretch, giving him a career-high 61 points in 66 games. Kesler was also named the cover athlete for the video game NHL 2K11 on Monday.
Jeff Penner made his NHL debut on Tuesday. Penner had no points and was on the ice 9:17 minutes Tuesday. He was called up because Zdeno Chara is day-to-day with a lower body injury.
Zdeno Chara (lower body) might play in Thursday's game against Philadelphia. Chara sustained the injury on Sunday and wasn't able to play in Tuesday's contest. He has 35 points and 72 penalty minutes in 64 games this season.
David Morland IV was one of four players to Monday qualify for the Puerto Rico Open presented by Banco Popular. The other players gaining entry into the field were Deane Pappas, Pierre-Henri Soero and Andy Matthews. Matthews also Monday qualified last week for The Honda Classic, but he missed the cut.
It was announced today that the PGA Tour and Ping have reached an agreement on the use of Pre-1990 Ping2 wedges on the PGA Tour. As expected Ping, which had an agreement to allow the use of the square-groove clubs, waived it's right and the clubs will now be banned in PGA, Nationwide and Champion Tour events. The clubs will also be banned by the USGA at the up coming U.S. Open. Several players that were upset with aspects of the new V-Grove rule used the Pre-1990 Ping2 wedges in some of the early tournaments. The most famous of these players was Phil Mickelson, who made major headlines at the Farmers Insurance Open when Scott McCarron accused Mickelson of cheating. A week later McCarron apologized for his comments and said that both players wanted to see the rule changed.
On Monday morning, Brian Bateman was added to the field of the Puerto Rico Open presented by Banco Popular. Bateman is splitting time this season between the Nationwide and PGA Tours, but he is still looking for his first made cut of the year.
Fredrick Jacobson withdrew on Monday morning from the Puerto Rico Open presented by Banco Popular. Jacobson would have been a great play in Puerto Rico after his T-6 last week at The Honda Classic. He is replaced in the field by Brian Bateman.
Phil Tataurangi has been added to the field of the Puerto Rico Open presented by Banco Popular. Tataurangi has split time between the Nationwide and PGA Tours this season, with his only start on the PGA Tour coming at the Mayakoba Golf Classic, where he failed to make the cut.
Fred Funk on Monday withdrew from the Puerto Rico Open presented by Banco Popular. Look for the 53-year-old Funk to mainly stick to the Champions Tour this season.
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Seahawks K Olindo Mare signed his franchise tender. By signing the tender, Mare is guaranteed $2.814 million in 2010. He had an impressive 2009 campaign, making 24-of-26 field goal attempts, including a 5-for-6 mark from 40 yards out or more.
Free agent Derek Anderson will meet with the Seahawks on Thursday and the Cardinals on Friday, according to ESPN's James Walker. Seattle's quarterback situation is very fluid right now as they just traded away backup Seneca Wallace and have been linked to Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb. As it stands now, Anderson would be a backup to the fragile Matt Hasselbeck. Adam Schefter is already on the record saying he believes the Cardinals will end up landing the inaccurate Anderson.
Cardinals re-signed TE Anthony Becht to a one-year contract worth $950,000. Becht visited with the Niners and Raides before coming back to Arizona. becht has caught just 18 balls in the last three seasons, but will help Beanie Wells and the running game.
The trade market for Michael Vick is drying up, according to ESPN's Sal Paolantonio. According to Paolantonio, the Rams and Bills are no longer interested in trading for Vick. The Eagles have already paid Vick's $1.5 signing bonus and are on the hook for another $3.75 million in base salary in 2010. It's very hard to see them paying a No. 2 quarterback that much money, let alone a Wildcat No. 3.
The Seahawks have been contacting the Eagles "non-stop" about Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb, ESPN's Sal Paolantonio said during a Tuesday radio appearance. Paolantonio, a former Eagles beat reporter, went on to say that he firmly believes McNabb will be traded at some point this offseason. The link to Seattle will be a loud wake-up call to incumbent Matt Hasselbeck, who new coach Pete Carroll gave a vote of confidence to back in January. The Seahawks probably are more interested in Kolb as their quarterback of the future, but he's far less likely to be dealt than McNabb.
LaDainian Tomlinson will sign with the Vikings if an agreement on playing time and money can be reached, according to beat writer Judd Zulgad. That's a big "if." Tomlinson is going to demand that he takes carries away from Adrian Peterson and will probably want all the third-down work. The Vikings would be wise to let Tomlinson continue to test the market after his Thursday visit and explore the draft for Chester Taylor's replacement.
"It's too early to say," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said when asked how he would utilize running backs Matt Asiata and Eddie Wide. "We'll wait until two-a-days (August) to sort that out when we can see who is healthy, who is ready to go." Asiata will sit out spring drills as he rehabs his knee and Wide will get limited work to avoid injury.
Whittingham has a nice problem on his hands with two veteran running backs. It could make for a sticky situation for fantasy owners, however.
Tulsa backup quarterback Jacob Bower told Tulsa World that he has decided to transfer. The graduating senior will likely move down to Division 1-AA in order to play next season as a grad student.
Tulsa is now down to starter G.J. Kinne and promising sophomore Shavodrick Beaver. All signs point to Kinne again serving as starter, with Beaver getting on the field in certain situations.
While Notre Dame has been staunchly against giving up their independence in football, athletic director Jack Swarbrick says Big Ten expansion could create changes in major college football that force them to review this stance. This would be a major shift in philosophy for the Irish, who have been able to garner huge television deals on their own. The two obvious choices for Notre Dame would be the Big Ten where they have geographic and rivalry ties, or the Big East, where they currently play hoops.
Tennessee Volunteer quarterback Matt Simms, a JUCO coming off hand surgery, is healthy and ready to compete for the starting gig. Nick Stephens is expected to win the job, but with a new coaching staff nothing is certain.
Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy says his ribs are fully recovered and should be ready for the start of spring camp on Friday. With teams sure to focus more and more on Mark Ingram and the run game, McElroy will likely be expected to become more of a force in the Tide's offense in 2010.
Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett (foot/toe surgery) is getting around campus on a scooter, but coach Bobby Petrino is not worried about his starting quarterback gaining weight while he's off his feet. "We haven't had any trouble with [weight] at all," Petrino said. "He's done a really nice job. I think our nutritionist, Kurt Schmidt, has done an excellent job with him because he now knows how to eat properly, what to eat." Mallett had a screw inserted in his foot on Feb. 18 and is expected to be confined to the scooter for a few more weeks. He is not expected to be fully recovered until July.
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