Last Season In Pineiro Howell

Baseball Betting Lines

Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Red Sox and reliever Franklin Morales agreed to terms on a one-year contract Monday. Acquired in a trade with the Rockies last May, he played in a career-high 50 games in 2011 between the two clubs and went 1-2 with a 3.69 earned run average.

 

Howell, 28, returned to play last season after missing 2010 due to shoulder surgery in May of that year.

 

Over 46 games, he went 2-3 with a 6.16 earned run average. In 212 career games, including 33 starts, Howell has gone 20-23 with 21 saves and a 4.62 earned-run average.

 

Padilla suffered through neck problems last season that eventually required surgery, limiting the 34-year-old to just nine appearances out of the bullpen for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

 

Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cincinnati Reds and outfielder Ryan Ludwick have agreed to terms on a one-year contract, according to a report. MLB.com reported Monday night that the deal, which is pending a physical, includes a mutual option for 2013.

 

Ludwick, 33, would join his sixth team. The nine-year veteran played his final 38 games for the NL Central-rival Pirates last season after being traded to Pittsburgh from San Diego in July.

 

Kansas City, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Kansas City Royals avoided arbitration with Brayan Pena, signing the catcher to a one-year contract Monday. The 30-year-old Pena batted .248 with 11 doubles, three home runs and 24 RBI in 72 games for the Royals last season.

 

Also Monday, the Royals signed Chris Getz to a one-year contract to avoid arbitration with the infielder.

 

Getz, 28, batted .255 with 26 RBI and 21 stolen bases over 118 games with the Royals last season.

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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

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