Daily Jolt: Baseball's top prospect shelved
Friday, April 11
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Baseball's top prospect shelved
In addition to their sixth loss in nine games, the Twins suffered another setback on Thursday. Top prospect Byron Buxton, who sprained his left wrist in a Minor League Spring Training game on March 16, is likely out until late April and is expected to start the season in extended spring camp before heading to Double-A New Britain. Buxton, ranked as the No. 1 overall prospect by MLB.com, still has not been cleared to swing a bat yet, but he is expected to start baseball activities by early next week at the club's Spring Training complex in Fort Myers, Fla. He originally injured his wrist trying to make a diving catch in the outfield. The Twins are being cautious with Buxton, as they don't want the injury to linger throughout the season. So it remains unlikely he'll be ready to play at New Britain before May 1. (MLB.com)Comment
Considering this point of the NFL offseason, with its lull between singings and the draft, the biggest player news may come in the form of center Alex Mack. Mack's contract is likely to make him the highest paid center in the NFL. And while [Mike Pouncey] likely won't reach those heights because he is not as accomplished as Mack and hasn't actually hit free agency, as Mack did, he might not get $9 million apy. But $7 million apy? Perhaps $8 million apy? Those numbers will be in play. Yes, the Dolphins can argue no center is worth that kind of annual salary. There are excellent left tackles in the NFL making between $7-$8 million. They can argue that unlike Mack, Pouncey has not hit free agency and is not designated as a transition player. (The Miami Herald)Comment
Westbrook insists he's meaner than ever
Russell Westbrook has always played with a degree of anger. Since he's returned from his knee injury, he's played even more mad. "For anybody who gets hurt, you come back with a bigger shovel," Westbrook said. "You want to compete, come back better and compete at the level before you got hurt. "It's made me even more meaner. But that's normal for me." Westbrook never missed a game during his first five NBA seasons. He quickly built a reputation as one of the NBA's most confident scorers despite playing alongside Kevin Durant. Westbrook was often criticized for being too offensive-minded as a point guard, but he also often said he didn't care what his critics thought. Knee injuries eventually forced Westbrook to the sideline, the first of which knocked him out of last season's playoffs. (Yahoo Sports)Comment
Must-See Photo
Bubba Watson tees off on the seventh hole during the first round of the 2014 Masters. (Robert Beck/SI)
Must-See Video
Rory McIlroy talks about his first round at the Masters, where he finished one under par and trails the early leader Bill Haas.
Game To Watch
The Boston Red Sox face the New York Yankees in the second of their four-game series, 7:05 p.m. ET
- Boston Red Sox
- New York Yankees
SI Vault: New York Mets
This Day in Sports
- 1962 -- The New York Mets play their first-ever game, losing 11-4 to the St. Louis Cardinals.
- 1989 -- Philadelphia Flyers goalie Ron Hextall becomes the first goalie in NHL history to score a goal during a playoff game.
- 2010 -- Phil Mickelson wins the 74th Masters, shooting a 272.
