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The article focuses on the arrival of former player of the Minnesota Twins baseball team, Johan Santana, to the New York Mets. It states that after having a forgettable run in 2007, the Mets look very keen to have a good season in 2008, with the arrival of star pitcher Santana. It is mentioned that though the injury problems seem to be high on the Mets side, they are very positive about doing well this season. INSET: Misery loves company: The Padres and Brewers are eager to move....

The article presents information on U.S. baseball pitcher Kris Benson, who is recovering from a rotator cuff injury. Benson had undergone a surgery to repair a tear in the rotator cuff on his pitching arm. He has been trying to regain the velocity and movement of his pitches, the way he had them before the injury. He says that he wants to show his critics that he could regain his performance. INSET: Comeback stories.

In the quest to keep pitchers from breaking down, a slowly growing contingent believes 'prehab' and its scientific components just might be the cure. Virtually every one of the two dozen pitchers, former pitchers and pitching coaches agree that there is one certainty about pitching: It is hazardous to an arm's well-being. Many believe the leading cause for pitching injuries is overwork, and monitoring pitch counts is the most accurate way to judge workloads. Yet righthander John Smoltz insists there must be a perfect way to pitch a baseball that does not unduly stress the arm, and that some biophysicist someday will find it. This quest for perfection, or at least the challenge of helping pitchers maintain healthy arms, has been ongoing since a mound first was placed 60 feet, 6 inches from the plate. INSET: Who's counting (pitches)? The A's--as early as 1967.

Focuses on injured Major League Baseball players undergoing treatment and rehabilitation as of February 21, 2000. Spring training camp as an opportunity for healing; Includes Kerry Wood of the Chicago Cubs; Carlos Guillen of the Seattle Mariners; Quinton McCracken of the Tampa Devil Rays.

The article examines the role of the fastball in baseball pitching. The difficulty posed for batters when a pitcher throws with a velocity of close to 100 miles an hour is considered. The ability of batters in the major leagues to hit pitches of any speed if they are not thrown with the proper control is noted. The added risk of injury to pitchers generated by throwing at extreme velocities is discussed. INSETS: HOW TO HIT A 100-MPH FASTBALL;FAST VS. FASTER;A BIG DIFFERENCE.

According to the article author, Larry Bowa, the intense and emotional manager of baseball team Philadelphia Phillies needs to keep his cool—and to keep his focus on winning, not himself—if the well-fortified Phillies are to live up to popular expectations. Bowa believes that there's a lot of criticism that is not warranted. As far as the Phillies are concerned, the only real news in the first half of spring training was injuries to three important players. Despite being moody and sometimes short with the media, Bowa has been relaxed around his team this spring.

Focuses on the symbolism of the scar on the elbow of baseball player Kerry Wood of Chicago Cubs. Warning given to other baseball players in relation to the scar; Inability of Wood to participate during the 1999 season; Preparation for the first big-league start for the year 2000; Recognition of the capabilities of other pitchers in the team. INSETS: A short flight for `The Bird'.;A different time, a different game..

Presents news updates on baseball in the United States. Pitchers drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Devil Rays; Injured players of the Seattle Mariners team; Game records of several baseball teams.

The article reports on the return of Philip Rivers in the football playoffs after a knee injury and its effect on his quarter back (QB) position. It is mentioned that the knee injury may not effect the QB, like a running back or defensive back, because a QB doesn't have to accelerate through a hole or break on the ball. According to physician James Andrews, the muscle strength is not 100 percent but he adds that Rivers will not face real problems, even after having a new knee.

The article presents information on Dusty Baker, manager of the Cincinnati Reds baseball team. It is stated that Baker is widely blamed for the failure of baseball player Mark Prior, who was brilliant under him in his first full season. Baker's detractors say that the way he used Prior in 2003 led to his subsequent injuries. It is mentioned that Baker wishes to change his managing style to fit the young group. INSET: Farewell to an arm.

This article focuses on the injuries suffered by various baseball players in the U.S. As the week began, the percentage of blown saves in Major League Baseball had increased by only 1.4 percent compared with last season. But more than one-third of the teams had injury concerns. Five front-line closers already have been on the disabled list. Old reliables such as the baseball team Yankees' Mariano Rivera and the team Red Sox's Keith Foulke are teetering. The team Cubs have been in scramble mode for the past two seasons, flopping with one closer after another trying to replace injured player Joe Borowski.

Baseball players of the team Atlanta Braves J.D. Drew, Jaret Wright and Johnny Estrada are all 28 years old. Pitcher Albie Lopez was given a $5 million contract for the 2002 season and was a bust. Braves, who had the best record in the National League at the time, were the last team to get a chance at Wright on waivers. Drew arrived from St. Louis last offseason with a career resume marred by six stints on the disabled list, one after undergoing knee surgery. After Estrada had played several innings of a spring training game this year and was replaced by a minor leaguer, Braves' new number one catcher dutifully sat on the bench to watch the rest of the game.

Over the last five seasons, the baseball team Oakland Athletics have baseballs, best regular-season record after the All-Star break. There has been injuries to key players and leaning on the big bat of a Jason Giambi or a Miguel Tejada no longer is an option. Ace righthander Tim Hudson, one of four pitchers to spend time on the disabled list, missed six weeks with a strained oblique. First baseman Scott Hatteberg, left fielder Eric Byrnes and catcher Damian Miller already have set career highs in RBIs, though you won't find any of them among the league leaders.

The key to healthy pitching is mastering the delivery, and you never can be certain a delivery has been perfected until it has been biomechanically analyzed and compared with the database. At least, that's the opinion inside the pitching laboratory in Birmingham, Ala., called the American Sports Medicine Institute. A super-slow-motion camera records the pitcher's movements at 500 frames a second (compared with 35 per second by the average home video recorder), resulting in a picture so slow that even the naked eye can see the incredible stress placed on the arm during pitching.

This article presents five thoughts expressed by baseball player Sammy Sosa of team Clubs after his head was hit by a pitch from Salomon Torres of Torres, which shattered his helmet on April 20. Sosa thanks God for protecting and blessing him. He considers his helmet to be very important and plans to carry it with special care for his lifetime. He had felt a little pain in the beginning, but did not lose consciousness. He says that he has to continue with the game as all this is part of the game.

Presents several briefs on various developments within the U.S. relating to the various baseball players and baseball teams that constitute the American League of Major League Baseball, presented in the April 14, 2003 issue of the journal 'The Sporting News.' Anaheim Angels left fielder Garret Anderson's career .280 April average is his lowest monthly average. But he's off to a hot start, getting hits in 10 of his first 17 at-bats. Angels' right hand pitcher Aaron Sele has begun a minor league rehab assignment in an effort to be back by May 1. He struggled last season, partly because of a shoulder problem that required surgery in October 2002. Baltimore Orioles out fielder Marty Cordova is out because of a herniated disk in his back, so the team essentially has only one bench player.

Presents several news briefs on various developments within the U.S. relating to various baseball players and the baseball teams that constitute the National League of Major League Baseball, presented in the April 14, 2003 issue of the journal 'The Sporting News.' With right hand pitcher Bret Prinz of the Arizona Diamondbacks, out for two to three months after suffering a groin strain on opening night, the bullpen pecking order is starting to shake out. Right hand pitcher for the Diamondbacks, Elmer Dessens, throws 92–94 miles per hour with good sink on his pitches and decent off-speed. Atlanta Braves' right hand pitcher, Jason Marquis' attitude and resistance to taking advice have angered teammates and frustrated coaches.

The opening of a new ballpark always is a watershed moment, but it doesn't seem like either a new beginning for the Major League Baseball (MLB) team, the Cincinnati Reds, or a turning point for one of the game's most historic franchises. The Reds are pretenders, and things will get only worse without Ken Griffey Jr., their No. 3 hitter and center fielder, currently out of play due to a dislocated shoulder. But the Reds' problems aren't just on the field. Manager Bob Boone and general manager Jim Bowden are both in the final year of their contracts. The front-office tension is amplified by the fact that Reds minority owner, Bill Reik, is marrying Bowden's former wife on Saturday.

The article presents the author's opinion on baseball player Scott Rolen, focusing on how a May 2005 injury to his left shoulder may have cost him the chance to be entered into the Baseball Hall of Fame. The author comments on how sports fans can get frustrated with the injuries of players.

Answers to reader questions offered by athletes and other sports personnel are presented. Basketball player LeBron James discusses the National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star game. Baseball player David DeJesus describes his emotions after being traded. Former baseball manager Jim Beattie links the length of time required to recover from baseball injuries to the guaranteed contracts given many baseball players.

The author comments on the 2009 American baseball season. It is stated that, the best offseason signings are, C. C. Sabathia, A. J. Burnett, and Mark Teixeira, by New York Yankees baseball team, while worst offseason signing is Milton Bradley by Chicago Cubs baseball team. It is stated that, New York Mets baseball team faced the toughest injury problems in the season, not only did most of the key players of the team suffered injuries, they happened all at once, and lasted all the season.

The article focuses on baseball players Aaron Hills of the Toronto Blue Jays team and Chris Carpenter of the St. Louis Cardinals team who are selected as the Comeback Player of the Year in the American League (A.L.) and National League (N.L.) respectively. Hill returned to baseball after recovering from concussion which ended his 2008 season midway in May. Carpenter returned to form to win Cy Young award winner to four starts from 2007-2008 after injuries ended his 2005 season.

The article discusses the factors which could hamper Philadelphia Phillies baseball team's chances in the 2009 World Series. Experts state that the declining form of baseball player and the team's finisher Brad Lidge could prove a worrying factor for the team. According to Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, the team would have to find other ways to close games. It is reported that the team has to work much of the season with a bullpen suffering from injuries.

In the article, the author expresses his opinion on how a baseball closer handles a struggling career. He states that the first thing that a team manager should do is to ask a closer in a nonjudgmental way if he is healthy. He says that it is a way in which a closer can be protected from media criticism. He states that the mistake managers commit is that they aren't that decisive.

The article focuses on the career of baseball player Francisco Lirlano. It is noted that even after an elbow ligament injury, Liriano still may be a better pitcher in 2009 than he was when he dominated the American League as a rookie in 2006. It informs that Liriano remains the Minnesota Twins baseball team's lone starter with the potential to dominate any lineup. After returning to the Twins in August 2008, Liriano went 6-1 with a 2.74 ERA in 11 starts.

The article focuses on the impact of an elbow injury to pitcher Tom Glavine as a player of the Atlanta Braves baseball team. It relates that Glavine started to feel pain in his elbow on June 10, 2008, which make it difficult for him to pitch. It states that Glavine underwent a surgery under Dr. James Andrews to repair his tendon. Glavine says that he wanted to play baseball in 2009 depending on the improvement of his physical condition because he believes that the team wanted him back.

The article presents information on baseball players who will undergo medical rehabilitation. Jorge Posada from New York Yankees will undergo rehabilitation for an operated shoulder and will include physical therapy and stretching exercises. Mariano Rivera also from the Yankees will have a minor operation on his pitching shoulder to remove calcium deposits. Tim Hudson from Atlanta Braves baseball team is stated to have a Tommy John surgery and is suspected to miss the whole 2009 season.

The article focuses on injuries of U.S. baseball players, which could affect their performance in the postseason. It is stated that an elbow injury of the Boston Red Sox team's player Josh Beckett, could affect his fingers, which may put pressure on starters Jon Lester and Daisuke Matsuda. The Chicago Cubs baseball team's player Rich Harden had a sore shoulder that could be a cause for concern. The Tampa Bay Rays baseball team's player Evan Longoria is the team's only designated power hitter.

The article presents several reasons that can result in a setback for the Chicago Cubs baseball team in the U.S. National League (NL) tournament. The team's performance might be affected if players are injured. It is stated that though the starters of the Chicago Cubs are their strength, their bullpen can be vulnerable. It is mentioned that the weather in Chicago, Illinois might not be favorable for some key players such as Alfonso Soriano, who has struggled to stay fit in cold weather.

The article offers new briefs related to baseball in the U.S. The Cleveland Indians team's player Casey Blake is expected to join Los Angeles Dodgers team to help the team with his ability to play third base, first base and the outfield. The Toronto Blue Jays team has won five straights to move two games over .500 and pulling six games out of 12 from the wild-card lead. Player Dustin McGowan would not be able to play in the rest of the season because of a shoulder injury.

The article presents information on the performance of the Boston Red Sox baseball team after the injury of its player David Ortiz. Ortiz's absence in the team stated to have changed the very nature of the team in a surprising way. Baseball players Jacoby Ellsbury was pushed from center to left and Manny Ramirez from left to designated hitter position to take Ortiz's spot. Red Sox pitchers have become more effective since Ortiz's injury, with better outfield defense.

The article presents news briefs related to baseball. Baseball players, Hiroki Kuroda and Brad Penny, of the Los Angeles Dodgers team, have got shoulder injuries. The Toronto Blue Jays team's manager John Gibbons has been dismissed and replaced by former team manager Cito Gaston. The New York Yankees baseball team has picked up baseball pitcher Sidney Ponson after his release by the Texas Rangers team.

The article focuses on problems faced by baseball teams of the National League (NL) Central due to injury of players. In the third week of June 2008, St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols had a strained left calf and Chicago Cubs slugger Alfonso Soriano was smacked on the left hand by a bone-breaking fastball. Both NL Central front-runner teams lost their best hitters. Some of baseball's top players who had injury in 2008 season include Tom Glavine, Matt Holliday and Pedro Martinez.

A photograph of catcher John Buck of the baseball team Kansas City Royals who was hit by his broken bat one day and then hit by a pitch the next day is presented.

The article looks at the health problems of several baseball teams in the U.S. selected from different baseball playoffs divisions. The team New York Yankees has suffered because of the injuries of its players including Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada and Phil Hughes. South sider Juan Uribe of the team Chicago White Sox is suffering from a hamstring injury. It states that the injuries have decimated the pitching staff Buddy Carlyle of the team Atlanta Braves.

This article presents an interview with Nick Johnson, a first baseman for the Washington Nationals baseball team. When asked about his first regular-season game since September 23, 2006, he replies that there were a lot of emotions. He also says that in 2007, he was able to travel with the team and do his rehab and watch the games. He further says that playing in a World Series match with the New York Yankees in 2003 was exciting.

The article offers news briefs regarding recent developments related to baseball in the U.S. Kelvim Escobar, from the team, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, has a rotator cuff injury. The team, Cleveland Indians, opened at home this week. Mark Redman, who was signed to a minor league deal last summer, made five appearances for Colorado Rockies and Colorado won all the five games.

The article presents information related to the baseball team Chicago Cubs and the performance of its players in 2007 baseball playoffs. As reported, the wrist injury suffered by Derrek Lee in 2006 had affected the performance of the player in 2007 games. It is also reported that Carlos Marmol, a closer of the team, averaged 12.46 strikeouts per nine innings in 2007.

The article presents information related to the baseball team Oakland Athletics and its players. It is reported that Eric Chavez and Bobby Crosby have missed 141 games in 2007. It is further reported that Chavez underwent surgeries on both shoulders and his back in the offseason. The team's expected batting order for 2008 is Travis Buck, Mark Ellis, Daric Barton.

The article offers news briefs related to the injuries of various baseball players in the U.S. For a spring training game, the New York Mets baseball team had just two physically fit players as the other six regulars were out with injuries. Rafael Soriano, who plays for the Atlanta Braves team, has a sore right elbow. It is reported that baseball player Albert Pujols wants to get through 2008 without the surgery he needs on his right elbow.

The article focuses on the problems that are being faced by Brad Lidge, a baseball player of the Philadelphia Phillies team. It states that Lidge suffered a right knee injury during a spring training throwing session. It is suggested that Phillies' fans will not accept a knee injury as an excuse and so Lidge should regain his edge to hold up in his new and demanding surroundings.

The article presents news briefs related to baseball players in the U.S. The Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team's left-handed pitcher (LHP) Randy Johnson has recovered from a back surgery and is going to be the second starter ahead of right-handed pitcher Dan Haren. LHP Barry Zito did his best to fit in when he arrived in camp with the San Francisco Giants team in 2007. Players of the Philadelphia Phillies team are trying to erase a recent history of poor starts.

The article discusses the signing of pitcher Kerry Wood to a one-year contract by the Chicago Cubs. Wood, who has been oft-injured through out his ten year major league career, will attempt to make the transition from a starting pitcher to a closer. Wood's contract for 2008 has a base salary of about $4.2 million, plus performance incentives. INSET: A gamble in Chicago, uncertainty in Milwaukee.

The article presents news briefs about Major League Baseball (MLB). Oakland Athletics third baseman Eric Chavez is unlikely to be 100 percent healthy when the 2008 season starts due to two offseason surgeries. New York Yankees manager candidate Joe Girardi might not be the best fit for a team with a young pitching staff like the Yankees. San Diego Padres right fielder Brian Giles is having surgery to correct a microfracture in his right knee.

The article discusses a post-game press conference held by Boston Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez. Ramirez hit the game-winning home run in the second game of the American League Division Series against the Los Angeles Angels, and granted his first interview since spring training 2006. The article discusses Ramirez's habit of having mysterious injuries in the waning months of the baseball season.

News briefs on the San Diego Padres baseball team are offered. Outfielder Milton Bradley's hamstring injury has limited him to two plate appearances in San Diego's last 16 games, hampering the team's offense. Rookie third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff batted only .113 in April, 2007, but has rebounded to hit 14 home runs and have 55 Runs Batted In (RBI), earning a spot in the startling lineup.

The article presents news briefs and rumors concerning Major League Baseball. Tampa Bay Devil Rays outfielder Rocco Baldelli has suffered another leg injury, leading some to write him off as an always injured disappointment. New York Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens has stayed with the team when he is not pitching, despite a contract clause that allows him to leave. Kansas City Royals pitcher Zack Greinke's move from reliever to starter may be hindered by psychological concerns.

The article presents news briefs and rumors concerning Major League Baseball. Boston Red Sox outfielder J. D. Drew, who signed a $75 million contract in the offseason, may not play against left-handed pitchers. Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez has been criticized for his occasionally lackadaisical attitude and play. The return of Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley from injury will benefit Phillies home run hitter Ryan Howard.

The article presents news briefs concerning Major League Baseball's (MLB) Toronto Blue Jays. Third baseman Troy Glaus has been hampered during the 2007 season by a foot injury which the team hopes will heal during the offseason. Pitcher Shaun Marcum has been effective because of a solid changeup which he can cut or sink.

This article discusses how Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling has spent late June and July 2007. The author notes that Schilling has been on the disabled list due to a shoulder injury and that he has begun throwing once again. The author notes that Schilling has claimed he is throwing his fastball as best as he can recall in recent memory.