Rangers scratch Lee from Tuesday start

Baseball Betting Lines

09/06/2010 - Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Texas Rangers have scratched lefty Cliff Lee from his scheduled start Tuesday against the Blue Jays because of a strained muscle in his lower back.

Lee was given an injection to deal with discomfort in his lower back last Wednesday. He was diagnosed with muscular pain and inflammation in the area after complaining of lower back soreness following his start last Tuesday, a 10-9 loss to the Royals.

The 32-year-old was able to throw a bullpen session Sunday with no reported problems. Nevertheless, Rangers' brass has decided to err on the side of caution.

Scott Feldman, currently on the disabled list with a bone bruise in his right knee, is expected to replace Lee on Tuesday.

Lee was just 1-4 with a 6.35 earned run average in seven August starts, including his last time out when Kansas City battered the southpaw for 10 hits and seven runs in 4 2/3 innings.

Since being acquired from Seattle in early July, Lee has gone just 2-5 with a 4.69 ERA in 80 2/3 innings over 11 starts. For the year, he is 10-8 with a 3.37 ERA in 24 starts. That includes seven complete games, one a shutout.

Nikansports Baseball Betting News

<< Underwhelming Madrid need special touch
Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - When Jose Mourinho left Inter Milan this summer for the bright lights of the Bernabeu, he took a calculated risk. After all, Inter had just come off a season where they won both the domestic league and cu

<< Santana scratched from Tuesday start
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New York Mets ace Johan Santana will miss his next scheduled start Tuesday versus Washington with a strained pectoral muscle. Santana was forced to leave his last assignment against the Braves Thurs

<< Cardinals to begin critical road trip with clash vs. Brewers
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Coming off a much-needed series win, the playoff-hopeful St. Louis Cardinals know they still have a lot of work to do. St. Louis continues that uphill battle this afternoon with the opener of a three-game series at Miller

<< Division rivals collide as Mariners visit A's
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Second-year lefty Brett Anderson can pitch the Oakland Athletics a game closer to .500 and keep them an outside contender in the American League playoff race today, when the team hosts the Seattle Mariners for the first of th

<< Astros try to remain hot in Chicago
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Recently red-hot lefty Wandy Rodriguez and his similarly streaking Houston teammates try to make it three straight wins when the Astros head to Wrigley Field today for the first of three consecutive games with the host Chicag

Burke helping turn over new Leaf >>
Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - In the past 12 months, the Toronto Maple Leafs have advocated change more than a campaigning politician. Like a political party during election season, the Leafs are under constant scrutiny. And whe

Report: Ravens sign WR Houshmandzadeh >>
Culver City, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Baltimore Ravens added depth to the wide receiver position by reportedly agreeing to a one-year contract with T.J. Houshmandzadeh on Monday. The NFL Network, among others, are reporting the signi

McEnroe to step down as U.S. Davis Cup captain >>
White Plains, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Patrick McEnroe announced that he will resign as United States Davis Cup captain immediately following the World Group playoff against Colombia next week. The U.S. and host Colombia will squ

Montana ascends to No. 1 >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The move was only one spot, but it was a big one for the University of Montana football team as the Grizzlies advanced to No. 1 in The Sportsbook Betting Lines/Fathead.com FCS Top 25 on Monday. Montana was selected

Rangers promote INF German, designate Cora >>
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Texas Rangers purchased the contract of infielder Esteban German from Triple-A Oklahoma City and designated infielder Alex Cora for assignment on Monday. The 32-year-old German has been with Oklahoma

Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.