Peyton Manning says he has no plans to retire and that his recovery from neck surgery is on schedule.
Manning told a group of reporters that he threw on Tuesday morning and the session went well.
As for talk about his retirement, Manning says it's premature.
It's been a tumultuous month for the Colts, and Manning continued to cast a shadow over this week's Super Bowl, the first in Indianapolis.
Most of the Patriots and Giants say they're not paying attention to speculation that Manning's career could be over, but it's hard to miss.
After last week's public spat between the Colts quarterback and team owner Jim Irsay, the two issued a joint statement in hopes of tamping down publicity leading up to the Super Bowl. It's not working.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
NFL roundup: Peyton Manning, not Eli, catches media spotlight
As media day for Super Bowl XLVI ran its unique course Tuesday at Lucas Oil Stadium, the aura of Peyton Manning seemed omnipresent.
Several fans watching from the stands wore No. 18 jerseys. Younger brother Eli, who will lead the New York Giants against the New England Patriots on Sunday, fielded one, two, a zillion questions regarding the Manning not playing in the NFL's grandest game.
A few hours later and several blocks from the stadium, the elephant in the room left footprints at the media center.
First, Manning followed through with a contractual interview with ESPN. Then, in a corridor outside Radio Row, he stopped and chatted with local media.
How's the rehab going? More to the point, is Manning pondering retirement?
"I have no plans on doing that," he said.
Yahoo! Sports, citing two unnamed sources, reported to the contrary this week. The sources said the nerves in Manning's right arm are not healing as quickly as hoped following his Sept. 8 neck surgery.
Manning's reaction?
"It is what it is," he said of the speculation. "I'm working hard. I really had a good rehab session (Tuesday). I continue to work hard (and) make progress."
New England: The boot is off and Rob Gronkowski's ankle is feeling much better. The Patriots' All-Pro tight end shed his walking boot for media day, and sounded optimistic he'd be lining up against the New York Giants in the Super Bowl. Gronkowski, who suffered a high left ankle sprain in the AFC title game Jan. 22, said he could be anywhere from in perfect health to "2%" for the game. Gronkowski set an NFL record for his position this season with 17 touchdown catches and had 90 receptions overall for 1,327 yards.
Pittsburgh: The Steelers interviewed former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley for the team's vacant offensive coordinator position. Haley, fired by the Chiefs in December, met with Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin. The Steelers need to replace Bruce Arians, who was not retained. Arians was hired to the same position by the Colts on Monday.
Several fans watching from the stands wore No. 18 jerseys. Younger brother Eli, who will lead the New York Giants against the New England Patriots on Sunday, fielded one, two, a zillion questions regarding the Manning not playing in the NFL's grandest game.
A few hours later and several blocks from the stadium, the elephant in the room left footprints at the media center.
First, Manning followed through with a contractual interview with ESPN. Then, in a corridor outside Radio Row, he stopped and chatted with local media.
How's the rehab going? More to the point, is Manning pondering retirement?
"I have no plans on doing that," he said.
Yahoo! Sports, citing two unnamed sources, reported to the contrary this week. The sources said the nerves in Manning's right arm are not healing as quickly as hoped following his Sept. 8 neck surgery.
Manning's reaction?
"It is what it is," he said of the speculation. "I'm working hard. I really had a good rehab session (Tuesday). I continue to work hard (and) make progress."
New England: The boot is off and Rob Gronkowski's ankle is feeling much better. The Patriots' All-Pro tight end shed his walking boot for media day, and sounded optimistic he'd be lining up against the New York Giants in the Super Bowl. Gronkowski, who suffered a high left ankle sprain in the AFC title game Jan. 22, said he could be anywhere from in perfect health to "2%" for the game. Gronkowski set an NFL record for his position this season with 17 touchdown catches and had 90 receptions overall for 1,327 yards.
Pittsburgh: The Steelers interviewed former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley for the team's vacant offensive coordinator position. Haley, fired by the Chiefs in December, met with Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin. The Steelers need to replace Bruce Arians, who was not retained. Arians was hired to the same position by the Colts on Monday.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Geoff Ogilvy Robert Allenby exchange angry words over Presidents Cup showing
Robert Allenby and Geoff Ogilvy were involved in a heated row after the Australian PGA Championship on Sunday.
According to The Herald Sun newspaper, witnesses claimed that the pair exchanged angry words during the tournament's afterparty at the Hyatt Coolum Resort, with some reports even having Allenby approaching Ogilvy and offering to settle it physically. Ogilvy declined.
The flashpoint came in the wake of a simmering feud started at the previous week's Presidents Cup.
Allenby lost all four of his matches in the 19-15 defeat to the Americans and said he had been hurt by public criticism of his performance. In defense, Allenby made digs at Ogilvy, Retief Goosen and Y.E. Yang -- his playing partners at Royal Melbourne -- for playing shots that "left him in the s**t.
"People look and say how disappointing can you be, because you didn't get a point, but when you're relying on someone else as well, it's sometimes not all just you," Allenby said.
He then claimed that Ogilvy "hit me in the trees three times off the tee and I had to chip out three times" in the Saturday foursomes.
Yang was the first to express disappointment at Allenby's comments, saying he "thought we were good teammates and being in a team environment, there is no one who played bad or good."
But what really appeared to irk Allenby, who went on to finish runner-up in the Australian PGA at Coolum, was a tweet from Ogilvy on Saturday, saying: "Warms the heart to see Robert playing so well this week."
Allenby, 40, took it as blatant sarcasm and it's understood that was the reason he approached his fellow Aussie.
There were reports of a smashed glass at the table where the conversation took place, but witnesses said it was accidental and not a result of a physical clash between the pair.
There was no immediate comment from either golfer but Ogilvy's manager, Paul Galli, was quick to play down the incident.
''Look, it wasn't TV Ringside or anything,'' he told the Melbourne newspaper, The Age. ''I wasn't there, but from what I've been told, it's a storm in a teacup. There were a few words spoken. They will be fine. I've got no doubt they can come together at the (Australian) Masters in a few weeks, have a beer and move on.'
Galli did confirm what had sparked the exchange.
''It goes back to what Robert said. Geoff didn't like being blamed by a teammate,'' he explained. ''But he didn't want to be part of the discussion (after Allenby approached him at the Coolum afterparty) and he doesn't want it to go any further. Let's focus on three great weeks for Australian golf.''
Allenby's manager Tony Bouffler added: "It was just two guys who'd had a few tough weeks letting off some steam and getting some things off their chest.
"It appears from what I've heard things may have been blown out of proportion. They're good mates and they're still good mates."
According to The Herald Sun newspaper, witnesses claimed that the pair exchanged angry words during the tournament's afterparty at the Hyatt Coolum Resort, with some reports even having Allenby approaching Ogilvy and offering to settle it physically. Ogilvy declined.
The flashpoint came in the wake of a simmering feud started at the previous week's Presidents Cup.
Allenby lost all four of his matches in the 19-15 defeat to the Americans and said he had been hurt by public criticism of his performance. In defense, Allenby made digs at Ogilvy, Retief Goosen and Y.E. Yang -- his playing partners at Royal Melbourne -- for playing shots that "left him in the s**t.
"People look and say how disappointing can you be, because you didn't get a point, but when you're relying on someone else as well, it's sometimes not all just you," Allenby said.
He then claimed that Ogilvy "hit me in the trees three times off the tee and I had to chip out three times" in the Saturday foursomes.
Yang was the first to express disappointment at Allenby's comments, saying he "thought we were good teammates and being in a team environment, there is no one who played bad or good."
But what really appeared to irk Allenby, who went on to finish runner-up in the Australian PGA at Coolum, was a tweet from Ogilvy on Saturday, saying: "Warms the heart to see Robert playing so well this week."
Allenby, 40, took it as blatant sarcasm and it's understood that was the reason he approached his fellow Aussie.
There were reports of a smashed glass at the table where the conversation took place, but witnesses said it was accidental and not a result of a physical clash between the pair.
There was no immediate comment from either golfer but Ogilvy's manager, Paul Galli, was quick to play down the incident.
''Look, it wasn't TV Ringside or anything,'' he told the Melbourne newspaper, The Age. ''I wasn't there, but from what I've been told, it's a storm in a teacup. There were a few words spoken. They will be fine. I've got no doubt they can come together at the (Australian) Masters in a few weeks, have a beer and move on.'
Galli did confirm what had sparked the exchange.
''It goes back to what Robert said. Geoff didn't like being blamed by a teammate,'' he explained. ''But he didn't want to be part of the discussion (after Allenby approached him at the Coolum afterparty) and he doesn't want it to go any further. Let's focus on three great weeks for Australian golf.''
Allenby's manager Tony Bouffler added: "It was just two guys who'd had a few tough weeks letting off some steam and getting some things off their chest.
"It appears from what I've heard things may have been blown out of proportion. They're good mates and they're still good mates."
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Spacecraft casts new light on asteroid's history
A battered asteroid that was intercepted and surveyed by a European spacecraft last year may be the ancient remains of a planet that never formed, scientists say.
Fresh analysis of measurements taken from the European Space Agency's Rosetta probe found evidence that beneath the cracked and cratered exterior of asteroid 21 Lutetia was a molten, metallic core.
The findings, if confirmed, suggest the giant rock is a "planetisimal", a remnant of the early solar system that represents a wholesale jerseys snapshot of planetary development, rather than a fragment of a larger asteroid or a cosmic pile of rubble.
The Rosetta probe swung by the speeding asteroid in July 2010 at a distance of 282 million miles from Earth. At the time, Lutetia was the largest asteroid to have been visited by a spacecraft.
Close-up images of Lutetia revealed a surface scarred with large cracks and impact craters, evidence of the asteroid's long and battered history. The lump of space rock measured 121km long, 101km tall and 75km wide.
Infrared cameras aboard Rosetta found the surface temperature of the rock never exceeded -19C. Further measurements of the asteroid's density surprised scientists, because they suggest that the asteroid's interior has a dense, metallic core.
Benjamin Weiss, a planetary scientist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology who was involved in the study, said a molten core within Lutetia might indicate "hidden diversity" within the broader asteroid belt. "There might be many bodies that have cores and interesting interiors that we never noticed, because they're covered by unmelted surfaces," he said. "The asteroid belt may be more interesting than it seems on the surface."
If Weiss is right, Lutetia is a case of arrested development. The asteroid may have grown large enough to develop and retain a melting core, but then avoided the larger collisions that drive planet formation. It would be the first asteroid known to be partially differentiated, that is having a melted interior overlain by cooler layers. An international team of researchers describe the findings of the Rosetta fly-by in three papers published in the journal Science.
The spacecraft has flown past a number of asteroids since its launch in 2004 en route to the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in 2014. On arrival, Rosetta will release a small lander onto the icy comet and spend the next two years orbiting the asteroid as it heads towards the sun.
Fresh analysis of measurements taken from the European Space Agency's Rosetta probe found evidence that beneath the cracked and cratered exterior of asteroid 21 Lutetia was a molten, metallic core.
The findings, if confirmed, suggest the giant rock is a "planetisimal", a remnant of the early solar system that represents a wholesale jerseys snapshot of planetary development, rather than a fragment of a larger asteroid or a cosmic pile of rubble.
The Rosetta probe swung by the speeding asteroid in July 2010 at a distance of 282 million miles from Earth. At the time, Lutetia was the largest asteroid to have been visited by a spacecraft.
Close-up images of Lutetia revealed a surface scarred with large cracks and impact craters, evidence of the asteroid's long and battered history. The lump of space rock measured 121km long, 101km tall and 75km wide.
Infrared cameras aboard Rosetta found the surface temperature of the rock never exceeded -19C. Further measurements of the asteroid's density surprised scientists, because they suggest that the asteroid's interior has a dense, metallic core.
Benjamin Weiss, a planetary scientist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology who was involved in the study, said a molten core within Lutetia might indicate "hidden diversity" within the broader asteroid belt. "There might be many bodies that have cores and interesting interiors that we never noticed, because they're covered by unmelted surfaces," he said. "The asteroid belt may be more interesting than it seems on the surface."
If Weiss is right, Lutetia is a case of arrested development. The asteroid may have grown large enough to develop and retain a melting core, but then avoided the larger collisions that drive planet formation. It would be the first asteroid known to be partially differentiated, that is having a melted interior overlain by cooler layers. An international team of researchers describe the findings of the Rosetta fly-by in three papers published in the journal Science.
The spacecraft has flown past a number of asteroids since its launch in 2004 en route to the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in 2014. On arrival, Rosetta will release a small lander onto the icy comet and spend the next two years orbiting the asteroid as it heads towards the sun.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Derek Jeter is one of the few Yankees who is slumping, but is it too early in the season to worry?
This was about 10 days ago at Yankee Stadium, when it was still a little too early to consider linking Derek Jeter's slow start to his dramatic dropoff at the plate in 2010. The shortstop was in a good mood so I began pestering him, somewhat lightheartedly, for thoughts on the state of his hitting.
He wasn't biting, having already decided to stop talking about his decision to junk his new, no-stride approach. But, finally, he reached for what he considered a fitting analogy.
"You want to know what I think?" he said. "I think (Albert) Pujols is done. He's never going to hit again."
At the time, of course, Pujols, was making headlines by slumping badly, looking more like a pitcher at the plate than the game's most feared hitter. Jeter's sarcasm was obvious, but, forever guarded as he is, he immediately felt compelled to say, "Don't write that. I'm not serious."
"Thanks, Derek," I said. "I couldn't tell."
He laughed and changed the subject, but he'd made his point: In Jeter's mind his return to form was as sure a bet as it was for Pujols.
Since then the Cardinals slugger has responded as expected, knocking the ball out of the park with regularity, again raising the question of how St. Louis can afford to not pay him whatever it takes to re-sign him.
Jeter, however, has done nothing of the kind. Instead the Yankee captain continues to raise an entirely different question. That is, when is it no longer too early to attach significance to his slow start?
Of course, the way the Yankees are going, hitting home runs at a record pace, you also have to ask another question: Does it matter if Jeter isn't quite Jeter anymore?
With five more home runs in a 15-3 win over the Orioles Saturday night, including two from a reborn Russell Martin, the Yankees not only lead the majors with 35 longballs but have hit the most in club history through 17 games.
Jeter, meanwhile, has one extra-base hit, a double, in 68 at-bats. Saturday night he had a single in four at-bats to raise his batting average to .221.
Those numbers would be shrugged off as early and ugly if he hadn't fallen off to .270 last year, sparking so much debate about whether age was catching up with him. Instead they have to be at least somewhat alarming to the Yankee brass, which reluctantly gave Jeter that three-year, $51 million contract in the winter.
Perhaps most worrisome, ground-ball outs are once again a huge issue.
Going into Saturday night's game, according to FanGraphs.com, 73% of Jeter's balls in play were ground balls, by far the highest percentage in the majors. Only Royals' light-hitting shortstop Alcides Escobar, at 69%, is above 65% among all other players.
And that was before Jeter grounded out three more times, to go with a single to right and a walk.
It's significant because, while Jeter has always been a ground-ball hitter, his ground-ball percentage rose dramatically last season. He'd never been above 60% in his career, and then last year, when he seemed to go months without hitting the ball out of the infield, that percentage went to 66.
Essentially that's what prompted Jeter to work with hitting coach Kevin Long on the no-stride approach, both to keep from jamming himself by striding too far and also to give himself more time to get his hands extended, especially on inside pitches.
And while he looked good at times with the new approach in spring training, Jeter felt he was thinking about it too much when the season began, and went back to his old style when he didn't get immediate results.
So now you keep asking if this just really is more evidence that his hand/bat speed has slowed as he approaches his 37th birthday.
"It looks a lot like last year so far," said a scout at Saturday night's game. "He's not getting to the ball on time. I'm not ready to say he won't figure it out and have a good year, but the longer it goes on, the more you have to think age is a big part of it."
Jeter, for his part, is sticking to his decision not to talk about it.
"Nah," he said Saturday, "I'd rather not."
Jeter is not going to hit .221, we all know that. But I was convinced he'd have a bounce-back season because he loves nothing more than proving people wrong about him. Nearly a month into the season, I'm not convinced of anything anymore.
He wasn't biting, having already decided to stop talking about his decision to junk his new, no-stride approach. But, finally, he reached for what he considered a fitting analogy.
"You want to know what I think?" he said. "I think (Albert) Pujols is done. He's never going to hit again."
At the time, of course, Pujols, was making headlines by slumping badly, looking more like a pitcher at the plate than the game's most feared hitter. Jeter's sarcasm was obvious, but, forever guarded as he is, he immediately felt compelled to say, "Don't write that. I'm not serious."
"Thanks, Derek," I said. "I couldn't tell."
He laughed and changed the subject, but he'd made his point: In Jeter's mind his return to form was as sure a bet as it was for Pujols.
Since then the Cardinals slugger has responded as expected, knocking the ball out of the park with regularity, again raising the question of how St. Louis can afford to not pay him whatever it takes to re-sign him.
Jeter, however, has done nothing of the kind. Instead the Yankee captain continues to raise an entirely different question. That is, when is it no longer too early to attach significance to his slow start?
Of course, the way the Yankees are going, hitting home runs at a record pace, you also have to ask another question: Does it matter if Jeter isn't quite Jeter anymore?
With five more home runs in a 15-3 win over the Orioles Saturday night, including two from a reborn Russell Martin, the Yankees not only lead the majors with 35 longballs but have hit the most in club history through 17 games.
Jeter, meanwhile, has one extra-base hit, a double, in 68 at-bats. Saturday night he had a single in four at-bats to raise his batting average to .221.
Those numbers would be shrugged off as early and ugly if he hadn't fallen off to .270 last year, sparking so much debate about whether age was catching up with him. Instead they have to be at least somewhat alarming to the Yankee brass, which reluctantly gave Jeter that three-year, $51 million contract in the winter.
Perhaps most worrisome, ground-ball outs are once again a huge issue.
Going into Saturday night's game, according to FanGraphs.com, 73% of Jeter's balls in play were ground balls, by far the highest percentage in the majors. Only Royals' light-hitting shortstop Alcides Escobar, at 69%, is above 65% among all other players.
And that was before Jeter grounded out three more times, to go with a single to right and a walk.
It's significant because, while Jeter has always been a ground-ball hitter, his ground-ball percentage rose dramatically last season. He'd never been above 60% in his career, and then last year, when he seemed to go months without hitting the ball out of the infield, that percentage went to 66.
Essentially that's what prompted Jeter to work with hitting coach Kevin Long on the no-stride approach, both to keep from jamming himself by striding too far and also to give himself more time to get his hands extended, especially on inside pitches.
And while he looked good at times with the new approach in spring training, Jeter felt he was thinking about it too much when the season began, and went back to his old style when he didn't get immediate results.
So now you keep asking if this just really is more evidence that his hand/bat speed has slowed as he approaches his 37th birthday.
"It looks a lot like last year so far," said a scout at Saturday night's game. "He's not getting to the ball on time. I'm not ready to say he won't figure it out and have a good year, but the longer it goes on, the more you have to think age is a big part of it."
Jeter, for his part, is sticking to his decision not to talk about it.
"Nah," he said Saturday, "I'd rather not."
Jeter is not going to hit .221, we all know that. But I was convinced he'd have a bounce-back season because he loves nothing more than proving people wrong about him. Nearly a month into the season, I'm not convinced of anything anymore.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
B's in for tough test against defending champs
While a berth in the postseason is certainly a feather in their cap, the Boston Bruins know there's a long way to go before they reach their goal.
The Black and Gold clinched a spot in the playoffs on Sunday with a win over the Flyers in Philadelphia and will now look to lock up the Northeast Division.
"It's always a good feeling," center Patrice Bergeron said of qualifying for the postseason. "There's seven games left and it's just one step toward our goal. Once you get in the playoffs, anything can happen. We're happy we clinched, but we haven't clinched the division yet. These are games we need to play well going into the playoffs."
The Bruins know how vital it is for them to play well over the next few weeks, as bad habits and half-hearted play could carry on into the playoffs and spell doom.
"We want to make sure that we don't coast into the playoffs," Milan Lucic said. We want to make sure we're still being sharp and playing the way we know we can play."
Boston's matchup on Tuesday night will be just about the furthest thing from an automatic two points. The Chicago Blackhawks will visit TD Garden, as last year's Cup winners are fighting tooth and nail to hang on to the eighth spot in the Western Confernece.
"Obviously they're a great team," said Bergeron. "They're the defending champs. They're battling for a playoff spot, so it's going to be a tough game. We'll make sure we're ready and go from there."
While the 'Hawks boast some of the best offensive talents in the league, featuring Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa, the Bruins have a pretty potent trio of their own in Lucic, David Krejci and Nathan Horton.
Krejci has elevated his game tremendously since the All-Star break. The first-line pivot will enter Tuesday's tilt with 21 points in his last 18 games.
"It's been fun to watch," Lucic said of Krejci's second-half surge. "He always seems to find an extra gear. I think he has a lot of fun with this time of year because it's exciting for him. He's definitely a player that we need to step up his game in order for us to have some success and hopefully make a long playoff push here."
One other key element to the Bruins potential playoff success will be continuing their turnaround on the power play. That effort kept rolling on Sunday in Philadelphia, as Boston scored both of their goals that night on the man advantage.
"I think we got the results that we wanted," said Bergeron. "At the same time, I felt that we were moving the puck better in the last eight or nine games or so. Now it finally worked and went in, so it obviously feel good, especially winning a game like that with our power play. It's definitely something we needed going into the playoffs."
Lucic also recognized how critical it will be to have the power play clicking.
"We need it to be something we can count on to get us a big goal in key moments," he said, "and it's been doing that lately."
As a long, arduous season winds down and the playoffs loom, Lucic believes that all the wear and tear one endures during the year is just a small price to pay to have another shot at a long run in the postseason.
"It's what you play for and it's the most exciting time of year," he said. "You almost seem to find that second wind. It is a grind going through an 82-game season, but it's a lot of fun when you put yourself in a position like this."
The Black and Gold clinched a spot in the playoffs on Sunday with a win over the Flyers in Philadelphia and will now look to lock up the Northeast Division.
"It's always a good feeling," center Patrice Bergeron said of qualifying for the postseason. "There's seven games left and it's just one step toward our goal. Once you get in the playoffs, anything can happen. We're happy we clinched, but we haven't clinched the division yet. These are games we need to play well going into the playoffs."
The Bruins know how vital it is for them to play well over the next few weeks, as bad habits and half-hearted play could carry on into the playoffs and spell doom.
"We want to make sure that we don't coast into the playoffs," Milan Lucic said. We want to make sure we're still being sharp and playing the way we know we can play."
Boston's matchup on Tuesday night will be just about the furthest thing from an automatic two points. The Chicago Blackhawks will visit TD Garden, as last year's Cup winners are fighting tooth and nail to hang on to the eighth spot in the Western Confernece.
"Obviously they're a great team," said Bergeron. "They're the defending champs. They're battling for a playoff spot, so it's going to be a tough game. We'll make sure we're ready and go from there."
While the 'Hawks boast some of the best offensive talents in the league, featuring Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa, the Bruins have a pretty potent trio of their own in Lucic, David Krejci and Nathan Horton.
Krejci has elevated his game tremendously since the All-Star break. The first-line pivot will enter Tuesday's tilt with 21 points in his last 18 games.
"It's been fun to watch," Lucic said of Krejci's second-half surge. "He always seems to find an extra gear. I think he has a lot of fun with this time of year because it's exciting for him. He's definitely a player that we need to step up his game in order for us to have some success and hopefully make a long playoff push here."
One other key element to the Bruins potential playoff success will be continuing their turnaround on the power play. That effort kept rolling on Sunday in Philadelphia, as Boston scored both of their goals that night on the man advantage.
"I think we got the results that we wanted," said Bergeron. "At the same time, I felt that we were moving the puck better in the last eight or nine games or so. Now it finally worked and went in, so it obviously feel good, especially winning a game like that with our power play. It's definitely something we needed going into the playoffs."
Lucic also recognized how critical it will be to have the power play clicking.
"We need it to be something we can count on to get us a big goal in key moments," he said, "and it's been doing that lately."
As a long, arduous season winds down and the playoffs loom, Lucic believes that all the wear and tear one endures during the year is just a small price to pay to have another shot at a long run in the postseason.
"It's what you play for and it's the most exciting time of year," he said. "You almost seem to find that second wind. It is a grind going through an 82-game season, but it's a lot of fun when you put yourself in a position like this."
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Kendrys Morales is set back by a new injury, will open season on the DL
Reporting from Tempe, Ariz. — The return of Angels first baseman Kendrys Morales, already clouded by his slower-than-anticipated recovery from a broken lower left leg, has been pushed back even further.
Morales has soreness in the ball of his left foot, an injury that is not directly related to his surgery to repair the broken leg but has slowed his rehabilitation from it.
Morales returned to Los Angeles on Monday to be examined by Dr. Phil Kwong, a foot and ankle specialist. An MRI test revealed no structural damage in the foot, but there is too much inflammation for Morales to resume his running program.
"He's still working through some flexibility issues with his ankle and foot, and until those are resolved he can't move forward," General Manager Tony Reagins said. "He's day to day right now."
The Angels expected Morales, who broke his leg while jumping on home plate after a game-winning home run last May 29, to be a "full go" for the start of spring training.
He has been a no-go. The switch-hitting slugger, who in 2009 hit .306 with 34 home runs and 108 runs batted in, has not played in an exhibition game this spring and will open the season on the disabled list.
He began running from home to first on March 15, but the pain in his foot, which may have been caused by ill-fitting spikes, prevented him from rounding the bases aggressively.
"Obviously, we'd prefer he was ready, but we understand the significance of the injury," Reagins said. "If we can be conservative and smart on the front end, hopefully it will benefit us in the long run."
The Angels are expected to open the season with Mark Trumbo at first. The rookie has had an excellent spring, entering Tuesday with a .340 average, five homers and 13 RBIs. But he also had 13 strikeouts and no walks in 47 at-bats, and he has only 15 at-bats in the big leagues.
"Spring training is spring training," Reagins said. "You still have to go out there and do it at the major league level, in season, but it's good to see what he's done in spring training."
Trumbo had 36 homers and 122 RBIs at triple-A Salt Lake last season, but having Morales in the middle of the lineup would give the Angels a much better chance of winning the American League West title.
"I'm real confident in saying he'll be back in relatively short order," Reagins said. "I'm not anticipating him being out for months."
Back on track
Dan Haren gave up eight runs in 6 2/3 innings, but the right-hander called Tuesday's 95-pitch outing against a Cubs triple-A team a huge step in the right direction.
"I felt really good; I left a lot of balls up, but my arm speed is finally back," Haren said. "That was the longest dead-arm period I've ever had. I haven't felt good since [a March 7 game in] Mesa.
"But it bounced back today, and I'm glad."
Pineiro update
Joel Pineiro, who left Sunday's triple-A start after two innings because of tightness in his right shoulder blade, will remain in Arizona after the Angels break camp. He will pitch in a minor league game March 30.
With two off days in the first week of the regular season, the Angels won't need a fifth starter until April 10, so they could open the season with Pineiro on the DL and carry an extra reliever or position player.
Morales has soreness in the ball of his left foot, an injury that is not directly related to his surgery to repair the broken leg but has slowed his rehabilitation from it.
Morales returned to Los Angeles on Monday to be examined by Dr. Phil Kwong, a foot and ankle specialist. An MRI test revealed no structural damage in the foot, but there is too much inflammation for Morales to resume his running program.
"He's still working through some flexibility issues with his ankle and foot, and until those are resolved he can't move forward," General Manager Tony Reagins said. "He's day to day right now."
The Angels expected Morales, who broke his leg while jumping on home plate after a game-winning home run last May 29, to be a "full go" for the start of spring training.
He has been a no-go. The switch-hitting slugger, who in 2009 hit .306 with 34 home runs and 108 runs batted in, has not played in an exhibition game this spring and will open the season on the disabled list.
He began running from home to first on March 15, but the pain in his foot, which may have been caused by ill-fitting spikes, prevented him from rounding the bases aggressively.
"Obviously, we'd prefer he was ready, but we understand the significance of the injury," Reagins said. "If we can be conservative and smart on the front end, hopefully it will benefit us in the long run."
The Angels are expected to open the season with Mark Trumbo at first. The rookie has had an excellent spring, entering Tuesday with a .340 average, five homers and 13 RBIs. But he also had 13 strikeouts and no walks in 47 at-bats, and he has only 15 at-bats in the big leagues.
"Spring training is spring training," Reagins said. "You still have to go out there and do it at the major league level, in season, but it's good to see what he's done in spring training."
Trumbo had 36 homers and 122 RBIs at triple-A Salt Lake last season, but having Morales in the middle of the lineup would give the Angels a much better chance of winning the American League West title.
"I'm real confident in saying he'll be back in relatively short order," Reagins said. "I'm not anticipating him being out for months."
Back on track
Dan Haren gave up eight runs in 6 2/3 innings, but the right-hander called Tuesday's 95-pitch outing against a Cubs triple-A team a huge step in the right direction.
"I felt really good; I left a lot of balls up, but my arm speed is finally back," Haren said. "That was the longest dead-arm period I've ever had. I haven't felt good since [a March 7 game in] Mesa.
"But it bounced back today, and I'm glad."
Pineiro update
Joel Pineiro, who left Sunday's triple-A start after two innings because of tightness in his right shoulder blade, will remain in Arizona after the Angels break camp. He will pitch in a minor league game March 30.
With two off days in the first week of the regular season, the Angels won't need a fifth starter until April 10, so they could open the season with Pineiro on the DL and carry an extra reliever or position player.
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