Nationals add Lidge to bullpen
Baseball Betting Lines
01/26/2012 - Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Nationals have agreed to terms with reliever Brad Lidge on a one-year contract.
Lidge, 35, has been a closer for much of his career, but has struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness in recent years. He will likely be a setup man for Drew Storen, who posted a 2.75 earned run average and converted 43-of-48 save chances for Washington last season.
The right-handed Lidge had spent the last four seasons with the Phillies and helped the team to a World Series title in 2008. He posted a 1.95 ERA and converted all 48 of his save opportunities during the regular season and playoffs.
However, the following season, Lidge blew 11 saves while recording an 0-8 record and 7.21 ERA. He rebounded in 2010, but has appeared in only 75 games in the last two seasons because of elbow and shoulder injuries.
Lidge has spent 10 seasons in the majors after being selected in the first round of the 1998 draft by Houston. He pitched his first six seasons with the Astros.
The two-time All-Star has converted 223-of-266 save opportunities, and has a career ERA of 3.44 in 592 appearances (one start). Lidge has struck out 789 in 594 innings, and owns a record of 26-31.
Lille, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Lille acquired defender Mauro Cetto on loan for the rest of the season Thursday from Italian club Palermo. The 29-year-old Argentine started his career with Rosario Central, but later played in France wit
<< Barca's Iniesta out three weeks with hamstring tear
Barcelona, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta will
be sidelined three weeks with a left hamstring tear, the European champions
announced Thursday.
Iniesta was injured just before the half-hour mark in Wednesday
<< QPR signs defender Onuoha from City
London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - QPR acquired defender Nedum Onuoha from
Manchester City on Thursday and signed him to a 4 1/2-year contract.
Onuoha, 25, made his debut for City in 2004 and played 92 matches for the
club, some of
<< Toronto FC signs defender Eckersley
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Toronto FC signed defender Richard Eckersley on
Thursday.
Eckersley, 22, joined Toronto FC on loan from Burnley last April and played 23
matches for the Major League Soccer club. He started 22 of those matches
<< Road to Super Bowl XLVI: Giants have been down this path before
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - While the narrator in Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not
Taken" may have decided to take the path less traveled, the New York Giants
have opted for a different approach on their route to Super Bowl XLVI.
Some of the situati
Foxboro, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is expected to miss practice time this week in preparation for next Sunday's Super Bowl because of the ankle injury he sustained during last Sunday's AFC Champio
Guadalajara names Ambriz new manager >>
Guadalajara, Mexico (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Guadalajara named Ignacio Ambriz its
new manager Thursday, as the former Mexican international takes charge of his
third different club in his native country.
Ambriz, 46, made 64 appearances for Mex
A's sign OF Gomes >>
Oakland, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Athletics have agreed to terms on a one-
year contract with outfielder Jonny Gomes.
Gomes, 31, split last season between Cincinnati and Washington, and hit .209
with 14 homers and 43 RBI in 120 games
In the FCS Huddle: Keeler isn't the FCS' only FBS candidate >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The ink seemingly wasn't dry on a contract
that would send Greg Schiano from Rutgers to the head coaching job with the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers and already there was potential fallout:
Delaware coach K.C. Keel
Schiano leaves Rutgers for Tampa Bay >>
Newark, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers must have been serious
about finding a new coach from the college ranks.
After a strong flirtation with Oregon's Chip Kelly last weekend, the Bucs on
Thursday have reportedly settled
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Problem with Bears?
Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.
"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."
Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.
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