Kasey Kiker leads Team USA over Netherlands

On Friday Texas' Kasey Kiker struck out six batters and gave up one hit in six innings and lead Team USA to an 8-2 victory against the Netherlands in the final play at the Baseball World Cup. Toronto prospect Buck Coats also drove in three runs in the win. The tournament's defending champion will now take on Cuba in the gold medal game on Sunday.

On Friday New York Mets prospect Ike Davis hit his fourth home of the tournament in the second inning and Team USA broke the game open with six runs in the sixth inning. Kiker earned his first win of the tournament while San Francisco prospect Geno Espineli surrendered two earned runs in his one inning. Coats led all Team USA hitters, while Pittsburgh prospect Pedro Alvarez and Tampa prospect Jon Weber both had two hits.

Fleury is released from tryout agreement

Calgary Flames General Manager Darryl Sutter announced today that Theoren Fleury has been released from his try-out agreement. "I believe Theoren did a great job and should be proud, especially considering all the factors including age, time away from the game and lifestyle change," said Sutter.

"I am very thankful to Darryl and the Flames organization for following through on the commitment to provide me with this opportunity," said Fleury. "I said in the beginning that no matter what the outcome, this would be a success story. I intend to take the next few days to review this experience and make decisions with my family regarding next steps in my life." Flames training camp will continue at the Pengrowth Saddledome this weekend. Now 27 players remain on the training camp roster.

LaPorta leaves game with inflammation

Matt LaPorta left Tuesday's game against the Tigers due to his left hip inflammation. Originally LaPorta began at first base and reached on a single in the second inning. He was thrown out at home and played the top of the third. Andy Marte replaced him in the bottom of the third inning. The Indians have not said anything about how LaPorta suffered the injury, which might have been related his staying at home.

LaPorta is a key acquisition in the 2008 trade which has sent CC Sabathia to the Brewers, and he is batting six homers and 18 RBIs in 43 games for the team this season. When will he come back to play on the field in his Brewers jersey?

McCann leaves with wrist injury

Braves catcher Brian McCann was forced to leave Tuesday night's game against the Mets with a injured left wrist. After exiting in the middle of the fourth inning, McCann received good news via X-rays which showed no fracture.

McCann took a foul ball off his wrist during the bottom of the third inning. During his fourth inning, he provided a sacrifice bunt that put Martin Prado and Chipper Jones in a suitable position. David Ross replaced McCann when the bottom of the fourth inning began.

Pedro left the game due to his neck stiffness

Pedro Martinez lost the 100th game of his career on Saturday night in the Phillies against the Braves at Turner Field. After throwing one warmup pitch in the fourth inning he left the game because of the stiffness in the right side of his neck.

"Everybody gets that sometimes, even from sleeping on a pillow," Martinez said. "I hope mine is not any worse than that. I felt it pinch when I threw that pitch to warm up. I don't want to aggravate my arm or something like that. I don't want to take chances." Martinez said he has decided to see a chiropractor in the next few days, it seems that he could make his next start on Friday against the Brewers. Hope he will be there on time in his Phillies jersey.

Leafs host Bruins on NHL Network

There are some exciting preseason action for the NHL season on the NHL Network on Wednesday, for example the Boston Bruins visit the Toronto Maple Leafs. Maple Leafs General Manager Brian Burke has imported free agents Mike Komisarek and Francois Beauchemin, adding them to Tomas Kaberle and last season's rookie Luke Schenn. Now Maple Leaves has a new look.

The Bruins will host the 2010 NHL Winter Classic later this year, they had the best record in the Eastern Conference last season, which was led by Norris Trophy winner Zdeno Chara and Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas.

Ryan was scratched with injured finger

Brendan Ryan was scratched with an injured left pinky finger on Tuesday night and he may not return to the Cardinals' lineup until Friday. "I was kind of in between steps and I landed on my pinky," Ryan said. "Batting wouldn't be the most comfortable thing." The right-handed-hitting player had his pinky finger taped to his ring on Tuesday and said while he was available to play defense or pinch-run, hitting wasn't a choice. He may not be available to hit again in the series finale.

If Ryan had been forced to bat, he wouldn't have taken the bat off of his shoulders. "That was the plan, I was going to take. I knew it was going to be bad.It's going to be uncomfortable batting. I can play, but I'm not going to be 100 percent."Ryan said.

Jackets sign Dorsett to two-year contract extension

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed right wing Derek Dorsett to a two-year contract extension which begins in 2010-11 and continues through the 2011-12 season. Dorsett tallied four goals and one assist for five points with 150 penalty minutes in 52 games with the Blue Jackets in 2008-09. He ranked second on the club.

He made his NHL debut at Phoenix on Oct. 11, 2008 and scored his first career goal against Vancouver on Oct. 21, 2008. He made his professional debut with Syracuse in 2007-08, collecting 18 points with 289 penalty minutes in 64 games. His total penalty minutes led the Crunch and ranked third in the American Hockey League.

Davis' long ball is overturned

Chris Davis had a home run taken away from him by instant replay in the fifth inning of the Rangers game with the Mariners. Davis led off the inning with a blast to deep center off of Mariners pitcher Brandon Morrow. The ball hit the top of the wall and bounded back toward center fielder Franklin Gutierrez.

Second base umpire Fieldin Culbreth originally signaled home run, Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu appealed and got a review. When third base umpire James Hoye and crew chief Gary Cederstrom returned to the field after the review, they directed Davis back to second base.
The Rangers did not argue and it did not cost them a run.

Glenn Healy resigns from NHL Players Association

Glenn Healy resigned from the National Hockey League Players Association last week, and after three days Executive Director Paul Kelly was fired. Healy said his credibility was destroyed by a report and comments by Interim Executive Director Ian Penny, including criticism of Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux.

"Based on what occurred in the Executive Board Meeting in Chicago, including the presentations made, all of which were accepted and endorsed by the Executive Board, my reputation and credibility with the players has been irreparably harmed and compromised. I can no longer continue to move forward believing that I have the trust of the players."said in Hearly's resignation letter. Healy played 14 NHL seasons with four different teams, and worked as a broadcaster before joining the Association in 2008.

Chase Utley is back in lineup

Chase Utley was back in the Phillies' lineup last Sunday after missing Saturday's game because of his broken right foot. Now fans can wear the utley jersey" supporing him in the match. Shane Victorino was also out of the game at Minute Maid Park because of his broken left knee. Victorino has been suffering a lot this season, and the pain aggravated during the game against the D-backs. He left Saturday's game after flying out to right field.

"He's been playing, but at the same time it keeps hurting him. Evidently he's have a hard time keeping his backside down."said Phillies manager Charlie Manuel. It is reported that the Phillies recalled outfielder John Mayberry Jr. and right-hander Kyle Kendrick on that day. Both of them joined the team in order to play in the final two games against the Astros.

Center fielder Nyjer Morgan was injured when stealing third base

It is reported that the Nationals' center fielder Nyjer Morgan has lost for the season because of his broken left hand. During the game aganist Cubs, Morgan got his hand hurt when sliding into third base. He will fly to Baltimore on Friday to see a specialist to check his situation carefully.

"I'm happy for the opportunity to play, but not happy to see my teammate get hurt," Harris said. "Nyjer was having one hell of a season. He was our sparkplug. He came over here and we started to play better. You hate to see anyone get hurt." Morgan, being acquired from the Pirates on June 30, was a major force in the leadoff spot. In fact, Morgan was the one who cheered the team up in the first inning against the Cubs. The Nationals have not decided who will replace Morgan on the roster.

Bon Jovi is preparing for the final contest on TBS

Recently Bon Jovi is preparing for cooperating with TBS, which is the major program of all the Major League Baseball's Division Series. They created a special video featuring the song "We Weren't Born to Follow," which will be performed on Friday. The video includes the highlights of this year's baseball season and the MLB postseasons. Some short versions of the video will appear on TBS to help to promote the coverage.

It's the third time that Bon Jovi has cooperate with TBS. Last season he also gave a performance in a free concert at Yankee Stadium in New York.