Mets closer Rodriguez has ligament tear

Baseball Betting Lines

08/16/2010 - Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New York Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez has a ligament tear in his right thumb, and it has been recommended that he undergo surgery to repair the injury.

Rodriguez did not travel with the Mets to Houston following Sunday's game against Philadelphia and was examined at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan. An MRI exam revealed the tear, while the Mets' medical staff recommended surgery. A date for the procedure has not been set.

It is unclear exactly how Rodriguez suffered the injury, but several media outlets reported he injured the thumb Wednesday, when he allegedly hit his girlfriend's father after a loss to Colorado. He was taken into custody by police and released a day later, then was issued a two-game suspension by the Mets.

Rodriguez pitched Saturday, but his season is now apparently over. In 53 appearances, he has posted a 2.20 ERA, 25 saves and 4-2 record.

The 28-year-old is due to make $11.5 million in 2011, the last year of his contract. However, he has an option for 2012 worth $17.5 million that is guaranteed if Rodriguez finishes 55 games in 2011, finishes 100 games between 2010-11, and if doctors declare him healthy after the 2011 season. Rodriguez has finished 46 games this year.

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MySportsbook.com and Kentucky Derby Offer Bonuses
The 2008 Kentucky Derby has announced a $1-million bonus for this weekend’s 134th ‘Run for the Roses’ and MySportsbook.com is doing the same.

Well, not quite $1 million, but MySportsbook.com is offering a 75% rebate for Kentucky Derby lines. Check out the exclusive horse racing bonus for all the details.

According to MySportsbook.com, the favorites for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky are: Curlin (+250); Street Sense (+500); Scat Daddy (+700); Circular Quay (+750); and Nobiz Like Shobiz (+800).

Derby organizers announced this week that there will be a $1-million bonus at the 2007 Kentucky Derby odds if the first-place horse wins by more than 6 1/2 lengths – the margin of Barbaro's victory last year. The bonus would be divided Saturday among the winning trainer, jockey, owner and a charity, with each receiving 25 percent. The designated charity is the Barbaro Memorial Fund.

''It's certainly creative, it's certainly fun and it has something for the horsemen, which we always want to embrace,'' Churchill Downs president and chief executive Robert Evans said at a news conference. ''What's really cool is it will force us to remember Barbaro.''
    
Meanwhile, the Derby favorite – Curlin – is going against the odds this year. It's been 125 years since Apollo won after skipping his 2-year-old season, and not since Regret in 1915 has such a lightly seasoned horse worn the blanket of red roses.

Arkansas Derby winner Curlin – unbeaten in three career races – tries to overcome both those obstacles in Saturday's 133rd Derby.

''We're not running against history,'' trainer Steve Asmussen said Monday. ''We're running against who they load up.''

Six other horses have run in the Derby without benefit of 2-year-old races and with three or fewer starts. The best any of them managed was a sixth-place finish by Showing Up last year.
   
Asmussen dismissed suggestions that Curlin's lack of racing experience could keep him from the winner's circle.

”He exudes confidence and he's got a great presence about him,'' the trainer said. ''I feel great about the position we're in. He's not worried about anything, why should you be?''
   
The Kentucky Derby is at 4:04 p.m., ET Saturday.

For complete odds on the Kentucky Derby, visit MySportsbook.com. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.