MLB
– According to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, DH Raul Ibanez will report to the Yankees on Thursday. The two sides have agreed to terms on a 1-year/$1.1M contract that carries another $2.9M worth of performance-based incentives. It will be finalized once Ibanez reports to camp and passes a physical. Ibanez will be a part-time DH and backup corner outfielder this year.
Sticking with the Yankees, ESPN’s Andrew Marchand reports that the Yank and DH Eric Chavez are “expected to come to an agreement.” Marchand says the Yankees “like the idea of adding Chavez as a valet for Alex Rodriguez” at third base.
– The Giants have told C Buster Posey to refrain from blocking the plate going forward. Posey’s 2011 season ended in May after he fractured his ankle during a collision at home plate with Scott Cousins. The Giants just want him to stay healthy. No, need him to stay healthy. Manager Bruce Bochy said, “I’ll take this out of Buster’s hands. As a manager, that’s my job. I certainly don’t want people to think he’s backing off on his own. It’s something we’ll work on with him this spring.”
NHL
– Ducks’ F Teemu Selanne scored his 657 career-goal on Sunday, surpassing Brendan Shanahan for sole possession of 12th on the all-time goal list. Flyers’ F Jaromir Jagr is next at No. 11 with 661 goals, while Luc Robitaille sits at 668 goals and is currently 10th.
– Sharks’ F Martin Havlat (torn hamstring) has been skating this week and is hoping to return to action in mid-March.
– The Devils have placed D Adam Larsson (upper body) on the IR retroactive to February 2. Larsson sustained the injury when he was hit by Canadiens’ D P.K. Subban. He has 16 points in 48 games this season.
NFL
– SI.com’s Peter King is “hearing” free agent RB Ray Rice “wants an Adrian Peterson-type of contract.” Peterson signed a 7-year/$100M deal last September that will pay him $40M in the first three years. King reportedly “(doesn’t see)” the Ravens doing that for Rice. King believes the Ravens “really want” Rice back, but that they can’t afford to “go nuts on him.” Rice will likely be franchise tagged before the March 5 deadline.
– According to the Newark Star-Ledger, the Jets are unlikely to use the franchise tag on free agent NT Sione Pouha. The Jets are tight on cap space and would prefer to work out a long-term deal. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Jets are currently “even” with the 2012 cap. The 33-year-old was one of the league’s best nose tackle in 2011.
NBA
– Nuggets’ F Danilo Gallinari (ankle) is still limited to bike work. Gallinari, who went down on February 6, says he is still on track with his original timetable of one month. Gallo is not wearing a boot and is walking around normally, however, he hasn’t run or cut and he had a minor setback in terms of pain one week into his rehab. His return date remains unknown.
WWE
– CM Punk and singer Chris Brown are the latest two public figures to use Twitter to talk trash about one another. The WWE champion wrote the following about the singer on his Twitter:
“I would like @chrisbrown fight somebody that can defend themselves. Me curb stomping that turd would be a #wrestlemania moment.”
Chris Brown replied back with some strong words for Punk, apparently not aware of Punk’s straight-edge drug free lifestyle:
“@CMpunk needs more followers. He’s such a leader! Not to mention the roids hes on has made it utterly impossible for him pleasure a women.
“Positivity regardless of how u feel! @CMpunk contact my assistant and I’ll have em send u an autographed pic for my biggest FAN!!!”
Chris Brown was arrested back in 2009 for beating the shit out of his then-girlfriend, singer Rihanna. According to the police report, Brown punched the female singer in the face several times and threatened to kill her.
– Former WWE Superstar Batista recently spoke with The Sun and opened up about his unhappiness in WWE and why he’ll never return to WWE again full time. Here are some highlights of what Batista said about:
Why he left WWE: “The reason I left was the PG direction the company took, it got too corny for me. I was a hug fan of the edgy era of DX, Stone Cold Steve Austin and those guys. The change in direction really ruined it for me. It’s well recorded I’m not a fan of the likes of John Cena or The Miz. It’s such a different company these days and not in a good way.”
Turning down Tough Enough: “I’ve no plans to return anytime soon. I was offered the job of working on Tough Enough, I just didn’t think it was for me. I hear it went well with Steve Austin and good luck to them. I need to be excited by a project and I didn’t feel that way about Tough Enough.”
Returning to WWE: “If I did return to the WWE, it would be for a run not just a one-shot deal. I’d have to be a constant for them not someone who drifts in and out to boost ratings. If I did I’d love to work with Triple H again or Undertaker. They are the best workers there in my opinion and they’d make it worthwhile to return. The show would have to change though, so I can’t see my return being anytime soon can you?”
– After his strong performance during the SmackDown brand’s Elimination Chamber match last night, Santino Marella got a lot of praise from WWE management and his colleagues. Jim Ross tweeted the following about Santino’s role in the match:
“Santino 2nite a great example of talent’s maximizing their minutes on TV/PPV. Santino’s gotten over w/ humor. Fans like him. Simple concept.”
– WWE Divas Champion Beth Phoenix says she was impressed with Tamina Snuka at Elimination Chamber. Beth wrote on Twitter:
“@TaminaSnuka impressed the hell out of me tonight. Genuine competition. But…i told you i will be #divaschampforever”
– Tamina replied to Phoenix’s tweet, writing the following about their match:
“My blood is still pumping like crazy from EC, i have to say in order to step up to the next level and grow you have to take your beatings!”
“BE aware of the consequences of those beatings it will feed the fire of the Goddess! @TheBethPhoenix it was a dream come true wrestling you”
– Some of the WWE terms trending worldwide last night during Elimination Chamber were John Cena, Kane, The Great Khali, Teddy Long, Alberto Del Rio, Mark Henry, CM Punk and Kofi Kingston.