Decker is named to lead Fresno Grizzlies

Former Major League catcher Steve Decker has been named manager of the Giants' Triple-A affiliate Fresno Grizzlies.
Decker, who is considered a managerial candidate for the Major Leagues will be joined in Fresno by beating coach Ken Joyce, pitching coach Pat Rice and trainer Anthony Reyes. Decker has progressed quickly through the Giants farm system, having managed at Salem-Keizer in 2005, Class A San Jose in 2008 and Double-A Connecticut in 2009, where he reached the Eastern League finals. He previously served as Triple-A batting coach.

Decker played seven seasons in the Major Leagues, four as the catcher in the giants jersey. Joyce takes over for Hensley Muelens, who was promoted to Major League batting coach. Rice returns as pitching coach for a second season. He previously spent 13 seasons in the Seattle system.

Pirates term with Taschner to Minors deal

According to ESPN.com, the Pirates signed reliever Jack Taschner to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training on Wednesday. If he makes the Pirates' Opening Day roster, Taschner will earn $835,000, plus $465,000 in incentives based on appearances.

Taschner made 24 relief appearances for the Phillies this past season, posting a 4.91 ERA while striking out 19 batters and walking 20 in 29 1/3 innings in the phillies jersey. The left-hander also pitched in 20 games for Triple-A Lehigh Valley and posted a 2.08 ERA in 21 2/3 frames. Originally a second-round Draft pick by the Giants in 1999, Taschner spent his first four seasons in San Francisco.

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.

Reliever Baez may join in Phillies

General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. of Phillies said last week that the club probably would sign a reliever in a couple weeks. It is unlikely to be right-handers John Smoltz, Chan Ho Park and Mike MacDougal. The Phillies have some concerns about Smoltz's durability, which might not be an issue except closer Brad Lidge and setup man J.C. Romero are recovering from elbow surgeries. The Phillies have expressed interest in MacDougal, but talks are not believed to be serious.

CSNPhilly.com reported that the Phillies have reached an agreement with a reliever. A good bet is right-hander Danys Baez, who has closing experience. That is something the Phils might need if Lidge and Romero are not ready to start the season. Baez went 4-6 with a 4.02 ERA in 59 appearances last season in the orioles jersey.

Zetterberg is out of game due to shoulder pain

Detroit Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg will be out of the lineup for at least two weeks after suffering a slight left shoulder separation during last night's Red Wings victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning at Joe Louis Arena. Zetterberg was injured in a first period collision with Lightning defenseman Mattias Ohlund. He left the game at that moment and did not return. Further tests showed that last night's game revealed the slight separation. Now Detroit is already without Johan Franzen, Valtteri Filppula, Jason Williams, Niklas Kronwall, Dan Cleary, Darren Helm and Jonathan Ericsson because of injuries.

Zetterberg has 10 goals and 22 assists in 34 games to lead the team in his red wings jersey. "That was unfortunate," Ohlund said. "I'm not trying to hurt anybody. I like to play hard." Detroit coach Mike Babcock, who didn't know the extent of the injury or how long Zetterberg would be out immediately after the game, said Zetterberg drove to the hospital to get an MRI after the game.

A Collegiate baseball player was found dead

According to the Associated Press, a collegiate baseball player from Cal State Long Beach was found dead in a creek last week. A search and rescue team found the body of James Wernke, who disappeared over the weekend, at about 10 a.m. in what was described as a "steep, rain-swollen creek". He was last seen there walking his girlfriend's dog. Police Lt. Alex Bastreri also told the AP that rescuers assume Wernke fell into the creek. And there were no immediate signs of trauma.

Wernke disappeared last Saturday while walking a yellow Labrador. A nursing major at Santa Ana College, Wernke had just landed a baseball scholarship at Cal State Long Beach. He was a left-handed pitcher and was drafted by the Athletics in the 41st round but chose to go to college instead. If he had put on a mlb jersey, maybe he would have been an excellent mlb player.

Lewis desires a Major League return

Nikkan Sports reported that Lewis, citing family health problems, turned down an offer from his previous club and will be headed back to the U.S. in the hope of landing on a big league roster for the 2010 season. Based on how Lewis played in Japan, he could draw interest from Major League teams.

The 30-year-old right-hander compiled a 12-15 record and a 6.71 ERA in his big league career, with his first three years coming in Texas. He missed the entire 2005 season with rotator cuff surgery and last pitched in the U.S. with the Athletics organization in 2007 in the athletics jersey.

Dodgers and White Sox complete Juan Pierre deal

The Dodgers acquired right-handed pitchers John Ely and Jon Link from the Chicago White Sox to complete Juan Pierre trade. Ely was a starter for Double-A Birmingham in 2009 with a league-leading 125 strikeouts in 156 innings. He is known as an adequate fastball and is considered to be a fifth-starter candidate. He was a third-round pick in 2007. Link saved 13 games at Triple-A in 2009, when he was striking out 66 but walking 27 in 56 1/3 innings in his white sox jersey. He is known as a hard thrower who has come across troubles for most of his seven professional seasons.

Juan Pierre has two years remaining on his contract of which the Dodgers will pay $10.5 million and the White Sox paying $8 million. The basic purpose of the deal for the Dodgers was to provide some payroll relief to obtain a starting pitcher.

GM Maloney will appear on NHL Live!

Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney will be among the guests on NHL Live!, scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. on NHL Network and NHL.com. The Coyotes are the biggest surprise far of the 2009-10 season, as they sit in sixth place in the Western Conference at 19-11-2.

Also scheduled to appear to speak with co-hosts Don La Greca and E.J. Hradek are NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, TSN analyst Bob McKenzie and Los Angeles Kings announcer Nick Nickson.

Flyers term with veteran Grahame

According to the Philadelphia Daily News, Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren confirmed that goalie John Grahame has signed a professional contract with the American Hockey League affiliate in Adirondack. Grahame spent five seasons in the NHL from 2001 through 2008 with the Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes. He recently played 20 games in the Kontinental Hockey League for Avangard Omsk during the 2008-09 season.

Holmgren has not revealed his plans for Grahame but he actually need an experienced goalie, when starting Flyers goalie Ray Emery underwent abdominal surgery. The club is currently relying on veteran Brian Boucher, who has started the last four games, and rookie Johan Backlund, who has made an appearance in the flyers jersey this season.

Shane Doan will join in NHL Live!

Phoenix Coyotes captain Shane Doan will be among the guests on NHL Live! on Thursday, scheduled on NHL Network and NHL.com and broadcast on XM Radio. NHL Live! is broadcast from the NHL Store Powered By Reebok in New York.

Doan has 19 points for the Coyotes, who beat the Maple Leafs in Toronto in his coyotes jersey on Wednesday night. Also scheduled to appear to speak with Rob Simpson and E.J. Hradek are Florida Panthers forward Radek Dvorak and NBC/CBC analyst Mike Milbury.

Rockies may sign catcher lannetta

It is reported that Rockies club did not comment on the Iannetta negotiations but acknowledged that they are talking with Iannetta and closer Huston Street about multi-year compacts to avoid arbitration. The Rockies have also talked about two-year deals with free agents Rafael Betancourt and Yorvit Torrealba. The Denver Post reported that the club and Iannetta had agreed on a three-year contract worth $8.3 millon.

Lannetta began last season as the starting catcher but lost the job to Torrealba. Lannetta have the Rockies believing that he can handle the starting job. If signed, Torrealba would offer insurance. Anyway we hope he can put on the rockies jersey and play for the team.

Red Sox add Bonser to the team

The Red Sox added some potential players to their already set starting rotation on Thursday, when they acquired right-hander Boof Bonser from the Twins. Bonser missed the 2009 season after undergoing right shoulder surgery in February.

Bonser has made 96 Major League appearances since being a first-round Draft pick by the Giants in 2000. In those three seasons, all with the Twins, Bonser is 18-25 with a 5.12 ERA in twins jersey. In his last full season in 2008, Bonser striked out 97 and walking 36 in 47 games.

D-backs add Whitesell to free agency

The D-backs refused to tender a contract to first baseman Josh Whitesell, making him a free agent. In addition, the team announced that it had tendered contracts to six of its arbitration-eligible players, including Stephen Drew, Conor Jackson, Edwin Jackson, Miguel Montero, Chad Qualls and Aaron Heilman. Other players who were eligible for salary arbitration, infielder Augie Ojeda and pitcher Blaine Boyer, were signed to one-year deals.

Whitesell was unable to replicate the success he had in Triple-A with the D-backs. In parts of two seasons with Arizona, he hit just .200 with two homers and 15 RBIs in his cardinals jersey.

Ovechkin becomes the model of January Men's Journal

Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin models some of the season's best accessories and answers some questions about hockey in the December/January issue of Men's Journal.

Men's Journal is a general interest, active lifestyle monthly magazine that focuses on adventure, travel, equipment, sports, fitness, health, style and ideas. The issue, Men's Journal, featuring the six-page "Here's The Key to Your Suite, Mr. Ovechkin" spread, is currently on sold locally. It seems that he looks much more charming in fashion suits than in his capitals jersey.

Red Wing McCarty announces his retirement

Darren McCarty, the veteran of 15 NHL seasons in Detroit Red Wings, announced his retirement several days ago. McCarty won four Stanley Cups with the Red Wings and played in 758 regular-season games, scoring 127 goals, 288 points and 1,477 penalty minutes. He scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal in 1997 against the Philadelphia Flyers, ending the Red Wings' 42-year-old Stanley Cup drought in his red wings jersey.

"I'm very proud to have played for as long as I did, with so many great teammates and to have been a part of all those strong teams, especially the four Stanley Cup-winning teams in Detroit," McCarty said in a statement released by the NHL Players' Association. "Playing with and against the best players in the world for the past 15 years has been an amazing experience. I'd like to thank my family, teammates, coaches, the Red Wings and Flames organizations, and the fans for helping me realize my dreams. It was a great ride. I appreciate what the game has given me and I'm happy with what I was able to accomplish as a hockey player, but now I'm excited for the next chapter."

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.

Royals don't offer arbitration to Olivo

The Royals confirmed that they would not offer salary arbitration to catcher Miguel Olivo and other three other eligible free agents by Tuesday's 11 p.m. CT deadline. That means the Royals will not receive a compensation Draft pick for Olivo, if he signs with another club. By having Olivo refuse it, they would have received a selection between the first and second rounds of the First-Year Player Draft from the club that signs Olivo.

The Royals paid Olivo a $100,000 rather than pick up a $3.2 million option for 2010, if he accepted. Kansas City's other three free agents, center fielder Coco Crisp and pitchers Jamey Wright and Bruce Chen, were not rated Types A or B, and the Royals will not give them any compensation if they sign elsewhere.

Krivsky rejoins the New York Mets

The Mets club announced that Wayne Krivsky is rejoining the organization as special assistant to general manager Omar Minaya, which was the same position he held with the club in 2008. Krivsky served as special assistant to Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail in 2009 and is entering his 33rd season in professional baseball. He also worked in similar capacities for the Twins and Rangers.

Krivsky started his career with the Rangers in 1977, then joined the Twins in 1994 and then with the Reds in 2006. While serving as executive vice president and general manager in Cincinnati Reds from 2006-08, the team added All-Stars Josh Hamilton, Brandon Phillips and Edinson Volquez.

Vokoun comes back to his team

Panthers goalie Tomas Vokoun now is back to South Florida with the team several days ago after being taken to a hospital because of an injured ear after being hit by a teammate's stick. After Ilya Kovalchuk scored at the first period, defenseman Keith Ballard swung his stick to the goal post.

At that time Vokoun lay on the ice for about eight minutes before being carried off the ice. Vokoun was taken to the hospital accompanied by Steve Dischiavi, the Panthers assistant athletic trainer and physical therapist.

Lach and Bouchard will put on retired jerseys

On Friday the Montreal Canadiens' celebration of 100th anniversary included displaying two more canandiens jerseys. They raised the No. 16 jersey worn by Elmer Lach and the No. 3 jersey worn by Emile Bouchard. Lach, who played with the Canadiens from 1940, won the Hart Trophy as the NHL's MVP in 1944-45 and the Art Ross Trophy as the League's top scorer in 1947. He is the oldest living Canadien when he is 91.

Bouchard, who was in Canadiens from 1941-56, was one of the NHL's most physical defensemen and served as team captain from 1949-50. His son, Pierre Bouchard, alos played for the Canadiens in the 1970s. Now he is 89. The Canadiens now have 15 retired numbers in honor of 17 players.