MLB
– A team source tells Jayson Stark of ESPN that the Phillies have “no chance” to keep free agent OF Jayson Werth. “No chance. None. Zero.” According to Stark, it isn’t necessarily the money that stands in the way of keeping Werth, but the team’s unwillingness to go beyond three or four years for a player who turns 32 next May. Instead, the Phillies will likely forge ahead with rookie OF Domonic Brown in right field. Stark reports that the Phillies could add OF Jeff Francoeur as a right-handed bat, possibly as part of a platoon.
– According to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun, the Blue Jays have inquired about the availability of Royals’ ace RHP Zack Greinke. The Royals are reportedly looking for two “can’t-miss prospects” in exchange for their ace. It’s not known if the Jays are on Greinke’s “no-trade list,” but an addition of his calibre would would invaluable for the Jays in the tough AL East. According to Elliott, the Jays have also asked about the availability of former 2005 No. 1 pick OF Alex Gordon.
NHL
– Bruins’ F Marc Savard (concussion) is projected to return to practice with his Boston teammates in the next two or three days. GM Peter Chiarelli said, “He’s doing much, much better. He has been symptom-free for a while now, increasing his skating…all in all, he looks good.” He is still probably 6-8 weeks away from returning to the lineup. Stay tuned.
– Blues’ F T.J. Oshie (broken ankle) will be out of indefinitely after suffering the injury on Wednesday night. Blue Jackets’ F Samuel Pahlsson fell on Oshie’s ankle in the third period on Wednesday and Oshie was unable to put any pressure on it as he left the ice. Oshie will be examined on Thursday to see if surgery is necessary. Oshie was off to a good start with a goal and 10 points in 13 games this season. He’s likely out at least a few months.
– The Canadiens have traded D Ryan O’Byrne to Colorado for F Michael Bournival. The 26-year-old blueliner has not played for the Habs since the third game of the season. He was a top-six defenseman for most of last year and could get a chance in Colorado to be a third unit blueliner.
NBA
– Rockets’ GM Daryl Morey confirmed that F Yao Ming (left ankle/leg)’s injury on Wednesday is not related to the stress fractures that have marred his career. Anytime Yao goes down or is limping, it’s cause for major concern. Although this is apparently a new injury, it won’t help Yao’s plea to play on back-to-back nights or get his 24-minute cap raised. Yao is questionable for Friday’s game in Indiana. He’s set for further testing Thursday.
– Clippers’ G Baron Davis (left knee) admitted that he suffered a setback when he played 10 minutes against the Hornets on Tuesday. Davis is scheduled to see his doctor when the Clippers get back to Los Angeles on Thursday. He said his knee swelled up and collected fluid in a different part of the knee. “When I woke up [Wednesday] morning, I felt terrible. I felt terrible.” Davis sounds nowhere near ready to contribute and his conditioning will get even worse as sits out.
WWE
– The Undertaker underwent shoulder surgery in the past week to repair his torn rotator cuff. Obviously the hope is that he’s healthy in time for WrestleMania, but it’s not guaranteed and it will depend on how his recovery goes.
– CM Punk, who injured his lower back at WWE’s Bragging Rights PPV, opted not to have surgery because a doctor told him he’d be able to rehab what’s believed to be a torn muscle tendon. Punk will be out of action until at least January, but will be healthy in time for WrestleMania season.
– Sheamus has a real nasty bruise on one of his legs and was seen limping around backstage at television this past week. He’s not expected to miss any ring time.
TNA
– Hulk Hogan and his fiancée, Jennifer, filed for a marriage license this week in Tampa, Florida, reports TMZ.com. Those close to the TNA Superstar tell TMZ the couple wants to be married by Dr. Michael Beckwith — a spiritual guru based out of Los Angeles. Hogan commented to the website, “I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life.” A&E will be airing a special on Hogan’s personal life next Wednesday, Finding Hulk Hogan.
The first review is in for the show and its not too flattering. “Finding Hulk Hogan” premiers on A&E on Wednesday, November 17th at 10pm (ET). John Griffiths of US Weekly wrote the following:
“Wrestler turned reality fixture Hulk Hogan opens up about his divorce, money woes and bout with depression in a tell-all special. Don’t fret: He soon finds God and a career as an exec for TNA Wrestling. Considering his stature in pop culture, this effort could have been a bit more insightful and less self-promotional.”
– Former WWE & TNA star Sean “X-Pac” Waltman went on Twitter yesterday and said he’s working on getting a DX reunion together. Waltman wrote:
“Im working on getting a tour of Europe w/a DX Reunion of Myself & The New Age Outlaws. Any reputable promoters interested, FB mesg me.”
When asked by a Twitter follower how he’d be able to promote a DX reunion when WWE owns the rights to the DX trademarks, Waltman replied:
“Well …..Who cares? There would have no longer been a DX when Shawn quit after losing to Austin. We were the real degenerates.”
Later, he spoke about the most recent incarnation of DX (Shawn Michaels, Triple H and all that bad comedy):
“Everyone already had that watered down version of a dx reunion. Not HHH & Shawns fault though .. I just mean that the content was watered down because of the whole PG thing. No disrespect. I love them both dearly.”