BRADENTON, Fla. - Coming off their first playoff appearance in 21 years, the Pittsburgh Pirates were eager to start spring training. Several players have been training regularly at the Pirate City complex since early January. When 36 pitchers and catchers held their first official workout on Thursday, a half-dozen position players were there, too. The Pirates won 94 games last season and advanced to the NL division series, their first post-season berth since 1992. They were eliminated by the St. Louis Cardinals in the decisive Game 5. "Were still hungry," catcher Russell Martin said. "We did some special things last year, but everybody was disappointed with how it finished. I dont know what all the experts are saying, but I consider myself an expert and I think were going to do better than we did last year." They will have to do it without veteran right-hander A.J. Burnett, who has agreed to a one-year, $16 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. Burnett made 61 starts and won 26 games over the past two seasons with the Pirates. After hearing that Burnett chose not to return to Pittsburgh, Martin sent a text message to his former teammate. "I wished him well," Martin said. "I hope he stays healthy and has a good season ... and, hopefully, well meet him in the playoffs and beat him." Many players admitted they were surprised and disappointed about Burnetts departure. Others preferred to look ahead. "Weve got to move on," reliever Mark Melancon said. "You cant live in the past. This is a new year and anything can happen." Even without Burnett, the Pirates have the makings of a solid starting rotation. Left-hander Francisco Liriano, who went 16-8 with a 3.02 ERA, is the likely opening day starter. Gerrit Cole (10-7, 3.22) and Charlie Morton (7-4, 3.26) also return. Wandy Rodriguez missed most of last season due to a sore left forearm. He is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Friday and is expected to be ready for the start of the season. "Physically, hes coming along very well," general manager Neal Huntington said. "Were going to take it slow with him this spring, so hes kind of on a different program than the other guys. But, hes healthy and feels good." New arrival Edinson Volquez, who signed a $5 million deal in December, and Jeff Locke could battle for the No. 5 job. The 26-year-old Locke won eight straight starts in the first half of the season and made the NL All-Star team. However, he went 2-5 with a 6.12 ERA over his final 12 starts and was shut down in September. "Making the playoffs last year meant a lot to us," Locke said. "The fans in Pittsburgh and the rest of the baseball world hadnt seen it in a while, but I know the 25 guys in our clubhouse knew it was something we could do. Were not under anybodys radar anymore, but I think the 25 guys this year will be up to the challenge." NOTES: The Pirates signed LHP Yao-Hsun Yang to a minor league contract, which includes an invitation to spring training. Yang, 31, made nine outings last year in the minor leagues in Japan. Rod Carew Jersey .C. Lions 35-14, was named the CFLs offensive player of the week Tuesday. Sheets recorded his ninth 100-yard rushing performance of the season to tie the Riders club record. Martin Perez Jersey . "I love the game, its the best job you can have," he explained Tuesday as the players left Joe Louis Arena for the summer. "Ill sit down with my wife and well go from there. https://www.cheaptwins.com/1422t-joe-mauer-jersey-twins.html . This week they discuss Russias mens hockey team, the ineptitude of the IOC handling the Nicklas Backstrom situation, John Tortorellas many apologies, and Canadas strong showing in curling. Jason Castro Jersey . Chris Heisey connected for his first grand slam and Devin Mesoraco homered and drove in a career high-tying four runs as Cincinnati took advantage of Tampa Bays depleted pitching staff for a 12-4 victory on Sunday. Ian Miller Twins Jersey . - After three days of light, make that very light, workouts, Team Irvin and Team Carter are ready for tonights Pro Bowl.TORONTO - The home locker-room at Air Canada Centre stayed closed for a few extra minutes on the night of Oct. 25. The Toronto Maple Leafs needed to clear the air after a demoralizing 4-1 loss to the Boston Bruins.Basically, we had an agreement that that was enough, coach Randy Carlyle said. Enough was enough. Because we couldnt continue to go the way we were going, and our performance against Boston was one where in our minds and in their minds was unacceptable.Since that unacceptable performance, the Leafs are 3-0-0 with victories over the Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets and Chicago Blackhawks. The wins have moved them from 14th to seventh in the 16-team Eastern Conference.Along the way, the morale gradually improved. Taking care of business against lowly Buffalo led to what centre Nazem Kadri called a complete 180 after some tension amid the losing.Goaltender James Reimer, who on Saturday night became the first goaltender since 2008 with 25-plus saves and no goals allowed in a third period, didnt like how things were going.I think its one of those things where we werent all pulling on the same rope, for lack of a better word, Reimer said. We werent on the same page.Victories against stronger competition had the Leafs feeling pretty good about themselves going into this weeks Western Conference road trip.We knew what we were doing was unacceptable and we needed to get back to playing Toronto Maple Leaf hockey, said centre Peter Holland, who has a bigger role in the absence of injured forward Joffrey Lupul. When we play our brand of hockey were a good team, were tough to beat.The Leafs brand of hockey will get tested on the road, even if its not against the best of the West. They visit the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday and the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday before returning home to face the New York Rangers on Saturday.Our hockey club has played pretty good on the road, Carlyle said, referencingg the Leafs 3-0-1 road record.dddddddddddd You have to win on the road to climb in the standings.It could help the Leafs that they have some Western influence on the roster, including forwards Peter Holland (Anaheim Ducks), Daniel Winnik (Ducks and Coyotes) and Mike Santorelli (Vancouver Canucks and Nashville Predators) and defencemen Stephane Robidas (Ducks and Dallas Stars) and Roman Polak (St. Louis Blues). Even new assistant coach Peter Horachek had been in Nashville before a stop with the Florida Panthers.That certainly will help having Roman and Danny Winnik, myself, who have been in the Western Conference a lot, Horachek said last week. Randys been out there before, he came out there and (has an) understanding of some of the way teams play and some of the characteristics of some of the players. ... Any time you can have familiarity, I think it helps, for sure.It also doesnt hurt to have some momentum. Reimer said the teams confidence is in a good place right now, something Carlyle credited the players for.Captain Dion Phaneuf just sees it as the machinations of a season that are magnified in Toronto.Theres lots of ups and downs, Phaneuf said. Believe me, when youre in a market like this, you can feel the ups and the downs. ...But I think that we did a good job of sticking with it and turning it around because we werent feeling very good about ourselves about five, six days ago. We beared down, we talked about (how) we expected more out of each other and we expected more out of our team and weve shown that.Note — Before leaving for Phoenix, the Leafs recalled centre Sam Carrick and defenceman Stuart Percy from the AHLs Marlies. Carrick, who made his NHL debut Saturday night and then was sent down for salary-cap reasons, is expected to remain in the lineup as the fourth-line centre. Percy will most likely serve as the seventh defenceman on the trip.---Follow @SWhyno on Twitter ' ' '
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