Two become one

Baseball Update:
The Phillies newly acquired closer Brad Lidge will miss 3-6 weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

Terry Francona ended a draught in Boston that was lasting eight decades, so it's only fair that he received a salary bump and contract extension, right? Good, because he'll be in beantown through 2011 and is expected to make between $3.5 and $4 million.

Speaking of the BoSox, they've agreed to a minor leauge deal with Bartolo Colon.

Shannon Stewart signed a minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Astros have signed reliever Byung-Hyun Kim to a one year, $850,000 contract.

White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle was scratched from an intersquad match due to soreness. How can you be sore, you've only been at training camp two weeks?

The Astros had quite a scare when pitcher Bradon Backe hurt his foot after he was hit by a ground ball. Luckily it was only a bone bruise.

The Diamondbacks got some good signs during workouts this weekend. Chad Tracy who is recovering from microfracture surgery took the field to preform some agility drills. Although it is not known when he'll be able to play in some spring training games, it's seen as a big step forward. As for Randy Johnson, he threw 26 pitches off the mound.

The Tigers Joel Zumaya is hoping he can save himself from...himself.

The Indians' Travis Hafner is hoping things go a little differently for Cleveland this season.

Royals first base coach Rusty Kuntz is giving his Royals players a quiz on the fundies and you'd be surprised how little they know.

Derek Jeter is all for blood testing for performance enhancing drugs. Now if only the rest of the union would jump on board.

Nascar Update:
They really tried to get the whole Auto Club 500 in, but they just couldn't. So with only 87 of the scheduled 250 laps in, Nascar will continue the race on Monday at 1 PM/est. The poor Nationwide drivers will then have to wait an hour after the Cup race finishes to start their race.


Hendrick alreay has two guys out after a crazy crash involving Casey Mears and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. look place on lap 22. Reed Sorenson and Sam Hornish, Jr. were also involved. From the looks of the video above, the track may not have been ready for the cars to go racing on it.

Don't worry, everything is a-ok in the Richard Childress camp following a confrontation by teammates Clint Bowyer and Jeff Burton after the Daytona 500. Burton says everything has been smoothed out.

Popo in my crib News:

The Minnesota Vikings tackle Bryant McKinnie was arrested early Sunday morning for his alleged involvement in a street brawl. McKinne has been charged with aggravated battery, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest without violence. The alleged incident started when McKinnie was thrown out of Club Space nightclub. He argued and spit on security guard Eric Otero before leaving the scene and heading over to a strip club. After his time at the gentleman's club he went back to Club Space when the action got a little more violent. Watch out Bryant, because the popo are on your tail!

News & Notes: It's official, Champ Car and the IRL are becoming one!...Sad news, Australian Ashley Cooper died on Monday from injuries sustained in a V8 touring car crash. He was only 27...Two NBA teams are streaking right now. The Lakers made it 8 straight with their 111-91 win over the Sonics...While the Rockets hit 12 in a row with their 110-97 victory over Chicago...Wisconsin's 58-53 win over Ohio State puts them atop the Big Ten...Memphis is perfect no more after losing to Tennessee, 66-62 on Saturday...Saturday's game became a hot bed of stars including Tennessee alum Peyton Manning, Priscilla Presley and Tennis stars Lindsey Davenport and James Blake...The Stars will be without defenseman Sergei Zubov for the next three to four weeks after he undergoes surgery to repair a foot fracture...The Rangers have bounced back from Tuesday's embarrassing 6-5 loss to the Candiens with their 4-3 win over the Sabres on Saturday and 5-0 blowout of the Panthers on Sunday. Hopefully the Blueshirts can sustain their current roll through the playoffs.

Check this out: After Hunter Pence's crazy glass door injury you knew the lists were coming. Click here for foxsports' list of most biazzare baseball injuries. And here for si.com's picture gallery.

Check more stuff out: Not to be forgotten, the Oscars were last night. Click here for people.com's complete coverage of the event.

It's been fun blogging with you,
Kate