Sore Elbow

Baseball Update:
Josh Beckett's back is not feeling any better after exiting Saturday's Red Sox game following warm-ups. In fact, his back is actually feeling worse causing Boston to debate keeping Beckett in the US instead of traveling with the team to Japan to open up the season against the A's.

Following surgery, the Giants Noah Lowry is hoping to be back by mid-April.

The Texas Rangers will be without pitcher Brandon McCarthy for the next four to six weeks after an being diagnosed with inflammation of his left forearm.

The Tampa Bay Devil-less Rays got some good news, when sidelined pitcher Scott Kazmir threw a bullpen sesson. Kazmir, who has been out for two weeks with an elbow strain, is hoping to make his grapefruit league debut on Sunday against the Tigers.

In it's about time to retire news, Randy Johnson got roughed up in his Catus League debut on Monday. Giving up three runs and four hits in an inning and a third. The good news is, Johnson felt no pain, the bad news is, he's old.

Barry Zito suffered a similar fate allowing eight runs (five earned) in three and two third innings in the Giants 15-6 loss to the Royals.

Justin Verlander on the other hand tossed three scoreless innings in the Tigers 4-3 win over the Nationals.

Plus Braves rookie Jair Jurrjens upped his scoreless innings streak to eight in the Braves 3-1 victory over the Cardinals. At this point, it's not even fair to the other pitchers, Jurrjens is so the number 5 starter. (Or number 4 depending on how healthy Mike Hampton is throughout the season.) For more Braves news head over to our Braves Blog.

Major League Baseball is looking to help save the environment by going green. Some ideas floating around are using corn starch cups, increasing recylcing and installing solar panels. I can just see the promotions now, used t-shirt night and share a cup with your friend night.

Nascar Update:
Looks like this whole back to basics thing is working for Nascar following their fourth straight race with increased viewership. The Kobalt Tools 500 jumped 19.1% over a year ago. Does this mean Kyle Busch's thus far successful season is to blame for this increased viewership, or does it only work for Dale, Jr.?

46 cars are on the Food City 500 entry list. Click here to see who they are.

Jeff Gordon thinks Tony Stewarts comments about goodyear went a little overboard. Well I think that with the quality of tires so poor that they are hindering the race, it's time for Goodyear to jump ship. This isn't a recent problem kids, it's been happening for years.

Jeff Gordon was among the lucky few drivers who got their first look at the repaved Darlington Speedway on Monday. While Gordon chastised Stewart, he's praising the new racing surface saying “They did a great job. They took care of all the things I felt were important things to take care of and keep it in the history and tradition of Darlington."

Of course there was one manufacturer left out of the Darlington tire test, Toyota and frankly they are none too pleased with Goodyear.

Like you didn't see this one coming, the new open wheel imports are struggling to master the bulkier stock car in Nascar.

Popo in my crib News:
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison was charged with assualt after allegedly hititn his 29 year old girlfriend Beth Tibbott at her Ohio Township home. The couple had been arguing when Ms. Tibbott who had locker herself in a bathroom called 911. Harrison busted down the door and broker her cellphone in half. He then hit Ms. Tibbott before fleeing the scene in his hummer. The popo pulled him over and brought him to the station where he was charged with simple assualt and criminal mischief. Watch out Jamie, because the popo are on your tail!

News & Notes: At this point, I'm not sure anything will stop the Rockets who made it 19 in a row after defeating the Nets 91-73...The Heat have shut down Dwayne Wade for the rest of the season...Then they lost to the Clippers 99-98...The Cetlics were the first team in the league to hit 50 wins beating the 76ers 100-86...Lute Olson will return to the Arizona Wildcats bench next season after taking the 2007-08 season off...Add Walker Racing to the list of ChampCar teams not making the switch to the new united IRL...San Diego topped Gonzaga 69-62 to take the WCC Championship...George Mason punched their ticket to the Tourney beating William and Mary 59-68 taking the Colonial Athletic Association tournament...Sienna won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship with a 74-53 victory over Rider...After being cut by the Falcons, Warwick Dunn is returning to his former team the Buccaneers...In other reuniting news, Trent Green is heading back to the Rams...Roger Federer beat Pete Sampras 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (6) in an exhibition game at Madison Square Garden.

Check this out: Authorities are trying to figure out just what caused a riot that injured 83 people during the America de Cali match against Deportivo de Cali. Click here for the crazy video.

It's been fun blogging with you,
Kate