Yankees add catcher Rivera

FOXSports.com reported that the Yankees have agreed on a Minor League contract with backstop Mike Rivera. The web site added that Rivera will be invited to Spring Training for the Yankees, who have catchers Jorge Posada and Francisco Cervelli on the 40-man roster.

Rivera batted .228 with two home runs and 14 RBIs while appearing in 41 games in 2009 in his brewers jersey. Considered an offense-minded catcher, Rivera missed 14 games with an ankle injury in his fourth season in Milwaukee. He originally signed as an amateur free agent by the Tigers in 1997, and is a career .244 hitter with 69 home runs in seven seasons in the big leagues.

Either Nationals or Cubs will sign Capps

It is said free agent right-hander Matt Capps will sign with either the Cubs or Nationals, according to his agent Paul Kinzer. "Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo has done a great job this offseason," Kinzer said. If Capps joined the Cubs, he would become a setup man. If the Nationals acquire him, Capps would battle Brian Bruney for the closer role.
But Capps said it didn't matter what role he had if he joined the Nationals. "If it's better suited for me to set up for the team in the seventh inning or eighth inning, that's what I'll do," Capps said. "If they sign me and tell me they want me to play shortstop, I'll play shortstop. I want to win. I want to be in an environment where winning is important. All signs are looking good with what they are trying to do so far."

Capps has spent his five-year career with the Pirates, collecting 67 saves while posting a 3.61 ERA in pirates jersey. He was non-tendered by Pittsburgh on Dec. 12.

Rockies negotiate with Tim Redding

According to a Major League source, the Rockies are negotiating with one of their past targets, right-handed pitcher Tim Redding. Last winter, the Rockies intended to acquire Redding from the Nationals before he was non-tendered. Redding signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Mets as a free agent and went 3-6 with a 5.10 ERA in 30 games, including 17 starts in his mets jersey.

The Rockies were not a finalist in the chase for former Pirates reliever Matt Capps, who is deciding between the Nationals and the Cubs. Redding could be asked to add the energy and experience to the bullpen.

Juan Uribe will return to Giants

According to FoxSports.com, the utility infielder is close to returning to the Giants. Uribe has been testing the free-agent market after playing in San Francisco through a one-year deal worth a little over $1 million. In 122 games he batted .289 with 16 home runs and 55 RBIs. It marked Uribe's highest average since hitting .283 with the White Sox in 2004 in the white sox jersey.

Uribe was the starting shortstop for the 2005 World Series champion White Sox as one of the best defensive players in the American League at his position. He played 44 games at third base last year, 41 at shortstop and 38 at second base.

Patrice Cormier is named 2010 Canada's WJC captain

It is officially said that New Jersey Devils prospect Patrice Cormier is named captain of Canada's entry for the 2010 World Junior Championship. Cormier is the first native of New Brunswick to lead a Canadian junior team. He had a goal, 3 points in six games at last year's WJC. He was taken by the Devils in the second round of the 2008 Entry Draft.

Canada also named five assistant captains, forwards Stefan Della Rovere and Jordan Eberle, and defensemen Ryan Ellis, Alex Pietrangelo and Colten Teubert. All of them joined Cormier on last year's WJC team. Canada will start its quest for an sixth straight WJC gold medal on Dec. 26 against Latvia.

Philles add Ross Gload to bench

It is reported that Ross Gload has passed his physical in Philadelphia to finalize a two-year contract with the Phillies. And it is said that he will make $1 million in 2010 and $1.6 million in 2011. Gload hit six home runs and 30 RBIs in 125 games last season with the Florida Marlins. He becomes the final piece on a Phillies bench that includes infielder Greg Dobbs, outfielder Ben Francisco, catcher Brian Schneider and infielder Juan Castro.3.

Gload is a career .300 pinch-hitter, which is the highest average for any active pinch-hitter with 140. Now Gload, who hits left-handed, is known as a fine defensive first basemen, but he can also play the outfield. Now it is time for us to put on the phillies jerseys and support him.

Royals acquire Humber to Minors deal

The Royals announced that the club have agreed to termed with right-handed pitcher Philip Humber on a Minor League contract for the 2010 season. Now He becomes the eighth non-roster pitcher to receive an invitation to Kansas City's Major League spring camp. Humber has spent the past two seasons in the Twins organization and was part of the five-player trade that sent pitcher Johan Santana to the Mets.

Humber was the Mets' first-round selection in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft. Currently playing winter ball with Leones de Ponce, Humber is 2-3 with a 4.19 ERA in seven games. He is allowed 34 hits while striking out 29 and walking 12 over 34 1/3 innings. Hope to see him playing on the field in the royals jersey.

Padres CEO has nothing to say about Gonzalez

Moorad, in an interview on the Padres' flagship radio station said that he doesn't believe general manager Jed Hoyer has spoken with Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein since the Winter Meetings concluded in Indianapolis last week. He also didn't think Hoyer and Epstein discussed Gonzalez.

Gonzalez has been the subject of trade speculation since the end of the regular season. Hoyer was an assistant general manager to Epstein in Boston before joining the Padres in October in trade discussions for the two-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove Award winner. Moorad said "If it's something that would dramatically improve our ballclub, we'd be silly not to listen. Does that mean other teams don't ask about him? Of course not. We're going to listen." "Jed has money to spend, not a lot, but money to spend," Moorad said. Well can Gonzalez put on the padres jersey successfully?

Martin Brodeur ties another record

It is reported that Martin Brodeur tied Patrick Roy's record for regular-season appearances by a goalie on Wednesday night when he started for the New Jersey Devils against the Montreal Canadiens. Roy, who played for Montreal and Colorado, appeared in 1,029 games in his 18-year career. Brodeur is in his 16th season, all with the team in his new jersey devils jersey.

It's the second time in two seasons that Brodeur has equaled Roy's records in a game against Montreal Canadiens. Brodeur tied Roy for career wins last March, getting No. 551 in the Bell Centre.

Statement regarding Ducks Henry and Susan Samueli

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman issued the following statement on Dec.9: "On December 9, 2009, U.S. District Court Judge Cormac J. Carney vacated the single charge that was pending against Dr. Henry Samueli, indicating that no law had been violated. We are delighted that the Samueli good name has now been cleared. In retrospect, it is regrettable and unfortunate that the circumstances at that time caused the Samuelis and the Anaheim Ducks to endure any suspension. We were pleased to welcome the Samuelis back to the NHL when the suspension was lifted this past November 12."

This statement comes after U.S. District Court proceedings this week in California, where Judge Carney stated that Henry Samueli had not made a materially false statement during his testimony before the SEC.

Capitals assigned Nylander to AHL

Caps General Manager George McPhee announced last weekend that the Washington Capitals have sent center Michael Nylander to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League.

Nylander has played 920 career NHL games for the Capitals, New York Rangers, Boston, Chicago, Tampa Bay, Calgary and Hartford. He has not played an NHL game in the nhl jersey this season.

Pudge expected to join in Nationals

The Nationals announced they will hold a news conference at Nationals Park on Friday to announce the signing of a free-agent player, who is expected to be veteran catcher Ivan Rodriguez. The club signed the catcher to a two-year contract worth $6 million during the Winter Meetings in Indianapolis. He is the 14-time All-Star combined with 10 home runs and 47 RBIs in 121 games with the Astros and Rangers last season.

Rodriguez is expected to be the backup to catcher Jesus Flores, who played in just 29 games last season because of injuries. Hope he can put on the nationals jersey and play for the team.

Mets ink Dessens to Minors deal

The Associated Press reported that reliever Elmer Dessens will remain with the Mets since the right-hander agreed to a Minor League contract last week. This contract will pay him $700,000 if he is in the Majors and $90,000 if he is in the Minors3. He can also earn $150,000 in bonuses.

The veteran made 28 relief appearances with the Mets last season, posting a 3.31 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 32 2/3 innings in his mets jersey. In his career, Dessens has played with the Pirates, Reds, D-backs, Dodgers, Royals, Brewers, Rockies, Braves and Mets.

Jays sign one-year deal with Buck

According to an industry source, the Blue Jays agreed to sign a one-year contract with free-agent catcher John Buck. Buck has agreed to a contract believed to be worth $2 million for the upcoming season with the Blue Jays. He became expendable for Kansas City after the Royals signed veteran catcher Jason Kendall to a two-year contract on Friday.

Buck hit .247 with eight homers and 36 RBIs over 59 games in royals jersey last season. Over six years with Kansas City, the catcher has hit .235 with 70 homers and 259 RBIs. Earlier on Sunday, the Blue Jays signed catcher Raul Chavez to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training Camp.

NHL Network celebrates Alex Ovechkin's victory goals

We have to admit that Alex Ovechkin has earned a significant place in his four-plus season in the NHL in hockey history. This two-time defending Hart Trophy, Lester B. Pearson Award and Rocket Richard Trophy winner has already scored much more memorable goals than most players do in an entire hockey career.

The NHL Network will celebrate Ovechkin's some memorable tallies on Dec. 10 when it presents "Alex’s Greatest Goals." The 30-minute program will feature which of Ovechkin’s goal is the best and Ovechkin commenting on his favorite goals. Some of Ovechkin’s teammates join Capitals media personalities and other in discussing Alex’s most spectacular goals.

Ovechkin has scored 20 goals in the 22 games this season all in his shining capitals jersey, one behind leader Marian Gaborik of the New York Rangers. The program "An Ovechkin Ovation: Alex's Greatest Goals," begins at 7 p.m. ET in the U.S. and Canada and can be viewed in America.

Milan Lucic will appear on NHL Live

It is reported that Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic will be among the guests on NHL Live! scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. on NHL Network and NHL.com and broadcast on XM Radio.

Lucic will appear in-studio at the NHL Store Powered By Reebok in Manhattan to speak with hosts Deb Placey and E.J. Hradek. Lucic is 2-3-5 in 10 games for the Bruins this season in his boston bruins jersey and enjoyed a 17-goal campaign in 2008-09. Monday's show also includes New York Islanders coach Scott Gordon and TSN analyst Bob McKenzie.

Witt feels good after car accident

According to a report, New York Islanders defenseman Brendan Witt was struck by a car in Philadelphia on Tuesday morning and was not injured. At that time Witt was crossing Arch Street when a car made an illegal turn and struck the defenseman. According to the report, Witt told passersby he was all right and continued on his way.

"I'm OK," Witt said, according to Newsday. "I've got to go play some hockey. I'm a hockey player. I'm OK. No big deal."
"I just got lucky," Witt said. "Fortunately nothing bad happened. I'm just a little sore." He didn't file an accident report and was now at the team's morning skate at the Wachovia Center. It seems that he can continue playing on the ice in his islanders jersey.

Mets acquire catcher Chris Coste

The New York Mets announced that they have signed catcher and first baseman Chris Coste to a one-year contract and added him to the 40-man roster. Coste spilt the 2009 season between Philadelphia and Houston, he began the season with the Phillies before being claimed off waivers by the Astros on July 10.

In his four-year major league career, Coste has appeared in 299 games with a .272 batting average, 47 doubles, 23 home runs and 108 RBI. He has started 176 games at catcher and 16 at first base since making his major league performance in 2006. Fans will also feel glad if he puts on the mets jersey.

Volquez's rehabilitation is going well

Pitcher Edinson Volquez reported last week that his rehabilitation from Tommy John ligament-replacement surgery is moving well but not too quickly. "I was supposed to throw in December, but I'm going to wait until next month," Volquez said. The right-hander also said that there have been no problems with his elbow recovery. "I can throw, but I don't want to rush it," said Volquez.

Volquez went 4-2 with a 4.35 ERA in only nine 2009 starts, but he did not pitch after June. He had the elbow surgery on Aug 10 and was expected to be out for about 12 months. After the regular season, Volquez spent a month in Cincinnati to continue his recovery. He is now doing his test at the Reds' academy in the Dominican Republic. "I go five days a week except Saturday and Sunday," said Volquez, "I go in around 8:30, 9 a.m. and don't get back to my house until after 2 p.m. I've lost 12 pounds in the last month." Volquez also said that it is certain for him being able to pitch in the Majors for Cincinnati in his reds jersey in 2010.

Avalanche Jones will lose several months' playing

Colorado Avalanche forward David Jones is going to miss the next 4 or 6 months after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in Saturday's game with the Minnesota Wild.

Jones was hurt later in the third period when he collided with Minnesota forward Chuck Kobasew, who fell on his leg.
Avalanche was already playing without forwards Milan Hejduk and T.J. Galiardi. "I think that when you have those injuries, it's an opportunity for other players," Avalanche coach Joe Sacco said. "It gives them a chance to be put in different situations and see how they respond." Hope he can return to his team in his avalanche jersey 6 months later.

Gustavsson sees medical specialists

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Jonas Gustavsson was examined by cardiac specialists in Toronto after leaving Tuesday's game against the Montreal Canadiens, playing only one period of the game. Gustavsson has had heart problems this season. He underwent heart surgery to repair a problem that caused an abnormal heart rhythm.

"I'm not going to be responsible for someone keeling over during a game," said Wilson after the Leafs' triumph. "The game's not that important." General Manager Brian Burke said Gustavsson did not need to spend the night in a hospital after Tuesday's incident.