MLB
– Rockies’ ace RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (right thumb) will go on the DL. His condition has improved in recent days, but the Rox don’t want to push him too soon and aggravate the injury. He could be back as soon as April 17.
– A federal judge has granted prosecutors’ request to dismiss one of the charges against Barry Bonds in his trial for allegedly lying to a grand jury. Judge Susan Illston approved the request Wednesday morning. Prosecutors made after it became clear Illston was going to rule they failed to prove a count that charged the home-run king with lying when he denied his personal trainer, Greg Anderson, induced him “to take anything before the 2003 season.” Prosecutors argued charge meant Bonds would be guilty if found to have knowingly taken any steroid prior to 2003. But the judge disagreed, ruling the charge alleged Bonds wilfully used designer steroids dubbed “the cream” or “the clear” before the 2003 season. Bonds admitted inadvertently taking designer steroids in 2003, but denied any use before then. The jury will now consider four charges against Bonds. Two accuse him of lying about knowingly taking performance-enhancing drugs, a third charges him with lying about being injected by anyone but his doctors and the last is a catchall obstruction charge.
NFL
– Pro Football Weekly draft analyst Nolan Nawrocki told reporters that people in the NFL are concerned that Clemson’ DE Da’Quan Bowers (knee) may need microfracture surgery. Nawrocki says all of the medical red flags could push Bowers into the back half of round one. There’s been lots of talk regarding his knees requiring surgery, but up until now, there didn’t appear to be any merit behind it. Bowers will be in Indianapolis Friday for a medical recheck. At that point, doctors will determine whether he needs a surgical procedure that would almost certainly cost him the entire 2011 season. Stay tuned.
TNA
– TNA star Kurt Angle was guest on this past Monday’s Wrestling News Live podcast hosted by JJ and Trey. Kurt stopped by to discuss the recent “Twittergate” scandal that emerged during the WrestleMania 27 broadcast and the boys allowed Kurt to clear the air and give his side of the story.
Kurt apologized on behalf of what happened but found that upon further investigation his twitter account was not hacked but was used by a family member after Kurt went to bed. Kurt addressed what was said about both Jack Swagger and Randy Orton and he had since talked with Orton and things between them are fine, he has no issues with Swagger
WWE
– Jim Ross published a new blog on his official website today discussing topics coming out WrestleMania weekend. Highlights are as follows:
Announcing again for WWE: “I’m not sure when I will be back for another announcing appearance but will embrace any opportunity to do what I love.”
Calling the final matches at WrestleMania XXVII: “Announcing at WM27 was an adrenaline rush but I’ll admit that I was rusty and had plenty of pre-match anxiety as I would have liked to have been able to prep more. Plus, one never knows after a long absence from WM’s just how one will respond in the heat of battle.”
WWE’s one-year build towards The Rock vs. John Cena at WrestleMania XXVIII: “The journey between now and WM28 in Miami could well be very compelling especially considering that a main event has already been tabbed. I have no issue whatsoever in dubbing a main event a year in advance because that provides fans with a destination and hopefully the journey to the destination will be full of twists and turns.”
Watching the premiere of Tough Enough alongside Steve Austin: “I hear that the upcoming episodes are much more compelling that the first, of which I thoroughly enjoyed.”
– Despite the fact that their WrestleMania 27 match was billed as “no holds barred” and anything goes, WWE has announced on its corporate website that both The Undertaker and Triple H have been fined for hitting eachother in the head with steel chairs. The announcement reads:
“Superstars Fined for Chair Shot
Pursuant to WWE’s Concussion policy, the stunt of using a folded metal chair shot to the head is prohibited. Triple H and The Undertaker have both been fined for violating this policy at WrestleMania XXVII. WWE penalizes through fine and/or suspension for violation of this policy, which is unchanged and still in effect.”
Granted, this is a storyline fine, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense considering the stipulation of their match. With this policy in place, WWE can expect to collect a ton of money from their talent following the upcoming “Extreme Rules” PPV.