Der Fremde » Butler calmly knocked down two free throws

KISSIMMEE, Florida – It was Caesar who was warned to "beware the ides of March" in the famous Shakespeare play. Ian Kinsler Jersey . The Blue Jays dont have a Caesar but they do have someone whos getting used to an annual March controversy. Hes J.A. Happ, who was back after two days away from the ballclub without the certainty of a spot in the rotation. General manager Alex Anthopoulos told the media on Thursday there are now two available starting jobs. Previously, there had been one. But Happ has struggled in two spring appearances as he works through what the Blue Jays say is a sore back. Happ has heard Anthopoulos comments but believes he will be among the group of five starters come opening day. "Yes," Happ told TSN.ca. "Uh huh. Still feel that way." Amid rumours the Blue Jays are players for Ervin Santana, the last marquee free agent starter available, the emergence of a healthy Drew Hutchison and the consideration being given to Marcus Stroman, the potential is there for Happ to be squeezed out of the picture. "As far as the Santana thing, Ive got no control over that," said Happ. "The Alex (comments,) Im not sure. That wasnt the impression I have had. I guess I dont have a comment for it." Happ hadnt been seen at camp since before Anthopoulos comment. He returned on Sunday in time to see off teammates who were about to make the two-hour bus trek to play the Astros in Kissimmee. The diagnosis is back inflammation, causing Happ general back soreness. "Its really nothing," said Happ, who didnt wish to describe the nature of the treatment hes been receiving. "Were just trying to take care of it. We needed to get a few days rest. We took care of a few things and I just kind of needed to be off my feet for a few days in order to recover from that. Well go from there. Well take it a day at a time. In my mind Im feeling better and feel like progressing and jump right back into an outing here soon." In two spring appearances, Happ has a 40.50 ERA, having allowed six earned runs in just 1 1/3 innings. Hes walked five hitters, but isnt willing to use his back pain as an excuse. "Its one of those things and Ive always said it, if you go out there theres no excuse," he said. "You find a way to pitch. It was by no means me having to find a way. I felt good enough. It may have contributed to it but hopefully it doesnt matter. I think, moving forward, I anticipate it not being an issue so that will feel good." DICKEY LOOKING STRONG R.A. Dickey pitched five scoreless innings in Sundays 4-3 loss to the Astros. The outing dropped his spring ERA to 2.45 over three starts. His knuckleball is dancing, the velocities are significantly varied and most of all, Dickey feels healthy. Hes more comfortable heading into his second year with the Blue Jays. "You look forward to a routine," said Dickey. "When that routine is interrupted sometimes it can mess things up, especially when youre older and thats something Im learning. "Getting to come into the clubhouse every day," he said. "Not having to depart and be away from my teammates; getting to really do relationships with those guys; getting to prepare in-between starts the way that I like to; take ground balls on the half-field in-between starts. All that is part of getting ready." There were high expectations for the 2013 Blue Jays. Those expectations werent met. Asked what he would say about the 2014 version of his club, Dickey offered a wry, deadpanned response. "I think were terrible," joked Dickey. "I dont want anybody to take us seriously and I think that because of last year were probably going to get walked over every game." DICKEYS REMAINING SPRING SCHEDULE Dickey has three spring starts left before opening day after his 82-pitch, five-inning performance on Sunday. He intends to throw about 100 pitches in each of his next two starts and then shorten his final appearance in preparation for opening day, March 31 in Tampa Bay. CAMP CUTS The Blue Jays reduced their major league camp roster by four after Sundays game. Catcher A.J. Jimenez, outfielder Kenny Wilson and pitchers Deck McGuire and Rob Rasmussen, all of whom are on the 40-man roster, were sent to minor league camp. Tony Conigliaro Jersey . a€“ All signs point to the Maple Leafs having their top offseason acquisition in the lineup on opening night. Marco Hernandez Red Sox Jersey . The stakes were higher, the competition more fierce and the atmosphere was that of a playoff game - something the young, upstart Raptors have five weeks to better prepare themselves for or the result will be eerily similar. https://www.cheapredsox.com/981z-colten-brewer-jersey-red-sox.html . Wheeler scored at 4:58 of overtime, with Scheifele getting an assist, and the Jets beat the slumping Colorado Avalanche 2-1 on Sunday night.MINNEAPOLIS - Jimmy Butlers surprise return to the Chicago Bulls starting lineup should really come as no surprise at all.Butler is the embodiment of the Bulls mind-over-matter mantra, and he returned just in time to teach No. 1 overall draft pick Andrew Wiggins a hard-to-swallow lesson.Butler coaxed the over-aggressive Wiggins into a foul with 0.2 seconds left. Then Butler calmly knocked down two free throws to help the Bulls weather another absence from Rose in a 106-105 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night.Butler scored 24 points on 6-for-12 shooting in his season debut and Pau Gasol added 29 points and six rebounds for the Bulls, who missed Rose with a sprained left ankle.What a way to kick off the season, Butler said. Im happy we got a dub. Wins are hard to come by, so on to the next one.Kevin Martin scored 33 points and hit a 3-pointer for a 105-104 lead with 2.9 seconds to play.Then Butler took the inbounds pass, stumbled to his knee, gathered himself and pump-faked to get Wiggins up in the air.I said, Oh Im going to get him, Im going to get him, Butler said. I gave him the pump fake and he bit on it.Ricky Rubio tied a career high with 17 assists in his first game since signing a four-year, $55 million contract extension. But the Wolves lost starting power forward Thaddeus Young to a strained neck on a scary collision with Butler just before halftime.The Bulls led by 16 points in the first half, but Anthony Bennett and Martin led a Wolves comeback in the final two quarters. Martins big 3 came after two offensive rebounds, but Wiggins was too aggressive on Butler on the final possession.I couldve changed the outcome of the game, Wiggins said. It was a learning experience for me. It hurt, but the good thing about the NBA, Ive got another game in a couple days.Rose warmed up before the game, but the Bulls made a late decision to rest their former MVP who has missed most of the last two seasons with knee problems. Taj Gibson also missed the game with an ankle injury, but the Bulls were buoyed by Butlers return.The shooting guard missed the first two games of the season with a sprained left thumb that was expected to keep him out much longer, and he made five of his first six shots to get the Bulls out to a 16-point lead in the first half. Dwight Evans Jersey. Showing no signs of disenchantment from the inability to get a new long-term extension done by the Friday deadline, Butler was a force on both ends as usual.Butler played the entire first quarter and scored nine points while making life miserable for Wiggins on the other end. Wiggins was 0 for 3 at halftime and finished with eight points and six rebounds in 31 minutes.He came in in great shape, and I think thats helped him greatly because when you do take on an injury, the conditionings not going to be the same during that time but because he was in great shape it allowed him to bounce back very quickly, coach Tom Thibodeau said. And Jimmys got a lot of mental toughness. Hes invaluable to us.___ROSE UPDATERose said he couldve played if it was necessary, but didnt want to push it so early in the season. If it was a real need for me to play, I think I couldve played but Im just trying to be smart and trying to give it an extra day, Rose said, and thank God that we came out with the win.TIP-INSBulls: Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said he wasnt concerned with Roses injury and also said he had no doubt in his mind his star point guard would get back to the impact player he was before the knee issues. ... Aaron Brooks scored 13 of his 16 points in the first half. Nikola Mirotic added 12 points and eight boards.Timberwolves: In conjunction with Rubios contract, the Wolves unveiled a ticket promotion dubbed the No. 9 pack in which fans who purchase tickets to eight games get the ninth one — vs. Milwaukee on Nov. 26 — free. ... Martin hit all 11 of his free throws.RUBIOS NIGHTRubio was just 3 for 10 from the field and scored six points and fouled out with 1:13 to play, which bothered him more than the great passing night. I let my team down, he said.UP NEXTBulls: Host Orlando on Tuesday night.Timberwolves: Visit Brooklyn on Wednesday night to start an 18-day road trip. ' ' '