The Seattle Mariners' new motto is, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." Of course, it really should be, "If you don't succeed, don't succeed... Full Story | Player Stats: Franklin | Zunino
Description: Chicago first baseman Anthony Rizzo is sitting out his first game of the season Tuesday against the Cardinals, according to Carrie Muskat of MLB.com.
Insight: Rizzo is hitting .173 with zero homers over his last 26 games and could use a day off.
Description: Minnesota left fielder Josh Willingham (knee) is back in the lineup Tuesday against the White Sox after missing Sunday\'s game, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com.
Insight: Willingham, who is hitting just .211 with a 12.6 percent line-drive rate and a 14.3 percent HR/FB this season, had a cortisone shot in his knee Saturday night for his nagging knee soreness.
We are still a month away from NFL training camps and more than two and a half months from the first game of the season... Full Story | Player Stats: Richardson | Gronkowski | Ballard | Blackmon
Description: According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Chargers receiver Vincent Brown has stood out this spring.
Insight: "He’s not quite 6 feet tall, not quite 200 pounds, not a guy who would win a foot race against almost any cornerback," according to Union-Tribune beat writers. "But he plays tall, plays big, plays fast." Brown was impressive last preseason before breaking his ankle and missing the entire year. He could have a big year in coach Mike McCoy\'s short-passing offense.
Description: Chargers receiver Malcom Floyd has been running new routes to adapt to San Diego\'s new passing offense, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Insight: "I’m running different routes," Floyd said. "These coaches are really working on my lateral ability, a lot of these drills this offseason, getting in and out of my breaks. It’s details like foot placement on curl routes, reprogramming my brain. ... I’m 10 years old in this league, but I feel a lot better than last year. I’m very excited about this upcoming year." The Chargers have tossed the vertical-passing offense of the past 5-7 years in favor of a short-passing offense designed to get the ball out of Philip Rivers\' hand quicker than last season.
If the Big Three Era wasn't over already, it definitely is now. How's this for a blockbuster? Kevin Garnett and Doc Rivers for DeAndre Jordan and a first-round pick. It almost... Full Story
Description: Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (torn meniscus) is off crutches.
Insight: Westbrook had surgery to repair a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee on April 27, three days after suffering the injury in Game 2 of the Thunder\'s first-round series versus Houston. The team now should be able to provide a firm timetable for Westbrook\'s return to the court. He\'s expected to be ready for training camp.
Description: Spurs shooting guard Danny Green has set an NBA Finals record for 3-pointers made with 25 and is shooting 66 percent from behind the arc during the series against Miami.
Insight: Green has helped the Spurs take a 3-2 series lead into Game 6 at Miami Tuesday. He has made 53-of-103 from 3-point range this postseason. According to J.A. Adande of ESPN.com, Heat big man Chris Bosh said that Miami is changing its defense for Game 6 to keep Green from getting any open looks.
Washington Capitals first-year coach Adam Oates talked about moving Alex Ovechkin to right wing as early as his interview for the job. Ovechkin... Full Story | Player Stats: Ovechkin | Kane | Kessel
Description: The Sharks have agreed to a five-year, $30 million extension with Logan Couture, according to Bob McKenzie of TSN.ca.
Insight: Couture had 21 goals and 37 points in 48 games this season, which extrapolates to 36 goals and 63 points per 82 games. The deal cannot be signed until July 5.
Description: Chicago right wing Marian Hossa (upper body) is "likely to play" Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals Wednesday against Boston, coach Joel Quenneville said, according to Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune.
Insight: Hossa was a last-minute scratch for Game 3 due to an upper-body injury. He was thought to have injured himself in pre-game warmups before Game 3, but Jonathan Toews said the team was prepared all day to be without Hossa.
