Today's Top Sports Rumors & News

Zach Wilt: Breaking down Jim Johnson's struggles - Orioles Buzz

MASN Sports — Last season, Jim Johnson blew three saves in 54 chances, while this year, he's blown three consecutive opportunities. The Orioles closer is scuffling and the team is stuck in a season-worst six-game losing streak. Johnson has allowed eight earned runs...

Orioles notes and observations (Johnson Garcia, Showalter, Casilla)

Shane Victorino thinks hamstring issue not ‘a really serious matter’

Full Count | WEEI — CHICAGO – After the Red Sox’ 6-4 loss Monday night, Shane Victorino was trying to come to grips with both a tight left hamstring and the frustration that comes with it. Victorino surmised the hamstring injury that forced him from the game in the sixth inning wouldn’t be anything too serious. But the notion that [...]

Today's Boston Red Sox coverage: John Farrell reacts to Oklahoma tornado, Shane Victorino's hamstring, and more

Victorino leaves with 'mild' hamstring injury

Victorino leaves with 'mild' hamstring injury

Desperation forces bullpen makeover

Nats Insider | CSN Washington — USA Today Sports ImagesRyan Mattheus broke his right hand after Sunday's game in San Diego.As if an 8-0 drubbing at the hands of the Giants last night wasn't bad enough, the Nationals now find themselves forced into giving their bullpen a quick makeover just so they can have a few fresh arms for tonight's game in San Francisco.Ryan Mattheus will be placed on the disabled list after breaking his right hand Sunday in San Diego, an injury that didn't occur during the Nationals' 13-4 loss to the Padres but afterward when the right-hander punched his locker in frustration. Mattheus' surprise injury...

Williams up on charges

Boston Herald — Terrence Williams, accused of brandishing a firearm Sunday afternoon during an argument with the mother of his 10-year-old son, had bail set by a judge at $25,000 during a court appearance yesterday in Kent, Wash.The next hearing for the Celtics guard, who posted bail and was released, will be held tomorrow, stemming from his arrest following a confrontation in an apartment complex parking lot. He is being investigated for second-degree domestic assault.

Viktor Stalberg returns for Blackhawks, is denied key goal

Detroit News — After watching their Western Conference semifinals series with the Red Wings go from what appeared to be a breeze to a battle almost overnight, the Blackhawks were looking for more speed headed into Game 3 on Monday.

Final: White Sox 6, Red Sox 4

Extra Bases | Boston Globe — Game over The Red Sox' five-game winning streak came to an end. Red Sox starter Jon Lester lost for the first time this season, allowing all six runs (five earned) over six innings. Adam Dunn blasted a three-run homer in...

David Ross passes concussion tests, resumes baseball activities

Clubhouse Insider | Boston Herald — CHICAGO -- Backup catcher David Ross passed a concussion test and was cleared to resume hitting off a tee and throwing, Red Sox manager John Farrell said today. Ross has been sidelined since May 11 after being hit on the head by a pair of foul tips.Ross could be reinstated from the disabled list by Thursday night if the Red Sox determine that he doesn’t need to go on a short minor league rehab assignment.

Report: Dwight Howard frustrated with D’Antoni

NBA Blog | Houston Chronicle — Today’s twist in the Dwight Howard free-agent saga comes from an ESPNLosAngeles.com report that the center felt marginalized by Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni. Citing multiple sources, the report said Howard expressed his feelings to Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak during the team’s exit interview process after the team was swept by the Spurs in the first [...]

Napoli president confirms talks with Manchester City over Edinson Cavani

The Guardian — • Aurelio De Laurentiis hopes to secure Edin Dzeko in exchange • Italian plays down reports he wants Rafael Benítez as coachThe Napoli president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, has played down suggestions he wants Rafael Benítez to be the club's new head coach and claimed the delegation that visited England on Monday was hoping to secure an exchange deal with Manchester City for Edinson Cavani.De Laurentiis, a film producer by trade, had been linked with Benítez, the outgoing interim Chelsea manager, as a replacement for Napoli's own departing coach, Walter Mazzarri, who guided the team to second plac...

Bulls player review: Taj Gibson

Chicago Bulls Blog | ESPN Chicago — Nick Friedell looks at each player on the Chicago Bulls roster and how they fit in for the future. Taj Gibson 2012-13 salary: $2,155,811 | Age: 27 | Season stats: 8.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg Season recap: Playing without Omer Asik for the first time in two seasons, Gibson struggled to replicate his success over the first couple months of the year. After signing an extension on opening night, the happy-go-lucky forward admitted that he was pressing a little while trying to live up to the new deal.

Game 3 preview: Bruins at Rangers

Bruins Blog | Boston Globe — By Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff NEW YORK – Good morning from Madison Square Garden, where the Bruins will look to grab a 3-0 series lead tonight over the Rangers. Dennis Seidenberg and Wade Redden are with the team. Both defensemen...

Report Card: Courtney Lee

Boston Celtics Blog | ESPN Boston — Jared Wickerham/Getty ImagesCourtney Lee's season didn't play out as he expected.After the Boston Celtics' 2012-13 campaign met an untimely end, we've busted out our red pens and assigned grades to each player based on their individual performances this season. This is the 13th in a series of end-of-the-season report cards: Player: Courtney Lee 2012-13 averages: 7.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.8 apg, 24.9 mpg, 46.4 FG%, 37.2 3PT% 2012-13 salary: $5 million Season in a paragraph: Despite limited offseason resources last summer, the Celtics worked a creative three-team sign-and-trade deal that sent out f...

Jets' Antonio Garay driven to keep playing because of Rahway roots

Newark Star-Ledger — 10-year veteran defensive tackle signed with Jets this offseason

Plan CP3: Clippers can't find better coach than Rick Carlisle

Dallas Mavericks Blog | ESPN Dallas — ESPNDallas.com will compare the Mavericks and Clippers in five facets -- other than money -- that could play a role in Chris Paul's free agency decision in a one-per-day series: owners/front office, coaches, co-stars, supporting casts and franchise tradition. We'll focus on Dwight Howard next week. Is Donald Sterling seriously considering giving Vinny Del Negro a new contract? If that’s the case, Mark Cuban ought to offer to pay half of Del Negro’s salary.

Rangers’ task simple: Just win tonight

Rangers Rants | Bergen Record — Even young defenseman John Moore realized the answer was the ultimate sports cliche. Yet, cliches are cliches for a reason, there is some truth to them. So the Rangers approach tonight’s Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Bruins not fixated on the two games to none series deficit they’re in, but just winning tonight’s game and then worrying about Game 4 tomorrow. Tighten their defense, perhaps by reuniting their shutdown pair of Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh, limit the turnovers and keep the Bruins from hurting them in transition. Simple, right? “We’ve been her...