News & Notes

MLB


- Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has decided on going with P Pedro Martinez instead of P J.A. Happ and P Joe Blanton to start against the Colorado Rockies in Game 3 of their NL playoff series Saturday night. The series is tied 1-1. Martinez is a much more experienced playoff pitcher which should come as an advantage in a game expected to be disrupted my cold weather conditions and possibly snow.
- The Atlanta Braves and New York Mets are expected to pursue OF Matt Holiday in the off-season.
- The Los Angeles Angels may let P John Lackey go this off-season when he becomes a free-agent. He is the top pitcher in the class and will demand a sizable raise this winter. It is speculated that the Angels will not be able to afford Lackey.
- Cleveland Indians SS Asdrubal Cabrera and RP Chris Perez have both undergone surgical procedures. Cabrera had an arthroscopic operation on his right elbow while Perez had a cyst and loose bone removed from the back of his ankle. Both players are expected to be ready for spring training.


NBA


- Detroit Pistons F Jonas Jerebko and Miami Heat C Jamal Magloire have been suspended by the NBA for an altercation in a pre-season game between the two teams on Monday night. Magloire will be out for two games and Jerebko will be out for one. The suspensions will start during the first game of the regular season.
- According to the Houston Chronicle, Rockets SF Shane Battier will return to action next week. He will try and get a few pre-season games under his belt before the start of the regular season. He has been out of training camp nursing a pulled right hamstring.
- Sacramento Kings SF Francisco Garcia fractured his right forearm during a weight-lifting party session Friday morning before practice. He will undergo surgery on Saturday. It is unknown at this point how long the forward will be out.
- Cleveland Cavaliers G Delonte West will not play in Saturday's pre-season game against the Charlotte Bobcats. He has missed the last two practices to attend to personal matters. It is yet to be seen when West will see his first action of the pre-season.
- Golden State Warriors PF Brandon Wright underwent successful surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder on Friday. It will be six weeks before Wright will be re-evaluated and a timetable will be set for his return.


NFL


- The Miami Herald is reporting that injured Dolphins QB Chad Pennington could become a player-coach.
- The Seattle Seahawks expect QB Matt Hasslebeck to start on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Hasslebeck broke a rib in a September 20th game against the San Francisco 49ers and hasn't played since.
- ESPN is reporting that New England Patriots RB Fred Taylor will require ankle surgery. The injury could take him out of action for the rest of the season. This could be a big hit for the team. Check back later for more on the situation.
- QB David Carr could start for the New York Giants in place of injured QB Eli Manning. Manning has plantar fasciitis and has missed practice the last two days. If Manning can't go, Carr will start.


NHL


- According to the New York Post, Brooklyn president Marty Markowitz has expressed interest in the New York Islanders moving to the borough.
- The Calgary Sun is reporting that recently-retired Theo Fleury will speak out about being sexually abuse by former junior hockey coach Graham James in court proceedings next week. Fleury will join Sheldon Kennedy as the second player to go public with the sort of allegations that lead to a 3 1/2 year prison sentence for James. In 1996, Kennedy testified against Graham accusing him of abusing him more than 350 times.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs have placed G Jonas Gustavsson on the IR and called up G Joey McDonald from the Toronto Marlies of the AHL to replace him on the roster. The rookie goal-tender is expected to miss at least a week with a groin injury.
- The Detroit Red Wings F Johan Franzen is out for at least four months with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
- The Detroit Red Wings signed F Brad May to a one-year contract worth $500k on Thursday.
- The Associated Press is reporting that the NHL has suspended San Jose Sharks F Brad Staubitz one game for his hit on Davis Drewiske of the Los Angeles Kings. He will lose $2,590 from his salary. He will be eligible to return to play on Saturday against the Minnesota Wild.
- According to Yahoo Sports!, the Pittsburgh Penguins have singed 2009 first-round pick Simon Despres to a three-year entry level contract on Friday. Financial terms were not disclosed.


MMA


- UFC light-heavyweight Wanderlei Silva told Sherdog in an interview that Anderson Silva will destroy Vitor Belfort when the two match-up at UFC 108. “I believe Anderson would destroy Belfort.I think it’s a very interesting fight. Belfort has good boxing skills and is a good athlete, but everybody knows that he has a weak psychological aspect and I think he will shake when he gets in the Octagon with (Silva)," Silva said. 
- According to Yahoo Sports!, controversial Ultimate Fighter 8 contestant, Junnie Browning has been released by the UFC. Browning was arrested recently for allegedly assaulting three nurses at a local hospital where he was being treated for a drug overdose. 
- Fanhouse is reporting that the UFC is considering matching up Matt Serra and Frank Trigg for UFC 110 in February. The pay-per-view event is also expected to feature former welterweight champ, Matt Hughes. 
- In a question and answer session on Thursday, UFC president Dana White hinted that the UFC may be making the octagon smaller. “Actually, we’ve been talking about making the Octagon smaller. We’re considering making it smaller. [UFC matchmaker] Joe Silva wants it. I think he wants to turn the thing into a [expletive] bathtub. Have them fight in a little tollbooth," said White. 
- Lightweight fighers Joe Lauzon and Cole Miller are expected to meet at UFC 108, January 2nd in Las Vegas, according to Mixedmartialarts.com.