admin / June 13, 2018

The New York Mets are considering sending Michael Conforto to the minors to help the slumping outfielder regain his swing, according to the New York Post.

Citing multiple sources, the Post reported late Saturday that team officials think a demotion to Triple-A Las Vegas could benefit Conforto while helping the Mets solve a logjam in their outfield.

The Mets had considered demoting Conforto in a corresponding move to Yoenis Cespedes’ activation from the disabled list, according to the Post.

Conforto, 25, enjoyed a breakout 2017 season before suffering the shoulder injury in late August. He batted .279 with 27 home runs and 68 RBIs in 109 games.

This season, Conforto is part of a crowded outfield rotation for the Mets that includes Jay Bruce, Brandon Nimmo and Jose Bautista. Aside from Cespedes’ potential activation, the Mets will have to open a spot on their 25-man roster for infielder Wilmer Flores, who is nearing a return from the DL.

Manager Dave Martinez said Murphy will accompany the team to New York, where it opens a two-game series against the Yankees on Tuesday. The Nationals will play five straight games in American League parks, where they’ll need a designated hitter.

I wanted to see where he’s at and get him here, and he looked pretty good, Martinez said. He played two days in a row (Double-A Harrisburg) so we didn’t want him to do much, but we wanted to get him back here. So, we’ll see how he feels tomorrow and we’ll touch base and see where we go from there.

Murphy has finished second in batting in the National League each of his two seasons with the Nationals, hitting .347 in 2016 and .322 in 2017.

Also Sunday, the Nationals placed right-handed pitchers Stephen Strasburg and Brandon Kintzler on the 10-day disabled list.

The Nationals had announced Saturday that Strasburg (right shoulder inflammation) was headed for the disabled list following an MRI. He left Friday night’s start against the Giants after two innings.

Strasburg is 5-5 with a 3.46 ERA in 13 starts. He ranks fourth in the National League with 95 strikeouts. Kintzler is 1-2 with two saves, 13 holds and a 4.45 ERA in 31 appearances.

Setup man Kintzler (right forearm flexor strain) left Saturday’s game against the Giants in the eighth inning with forearm tightness.

admin / May 31, 2018

Bottom line: Detroit will have to be better in one-score games against an improved NFC North across the board. The Lions were 3-4 in one-score games last season — albeit with one loss coming on a controversial finish in a 30-26 loss to Atlanta. This record could go either way a game or two, but it is best to start in the middle given the tough road patches. Record prediction: 8-8

Especially with the high likelihood that when the 2018 season kicks off in less than four months, President Donald Trump will almost certainly attempt to seize upon kneeling again, renewing his attacks on the NFL and some players.

“They’re so thorough in all their search,” Ross said of NFL teams’ investigations of potential hires. “It was unfortunate. Thank God he’s cleared and can (coach). Hey, that’s life today. Everybody’s looking at everything. You guys, you look under every leaf and you’re going to find something and it’s unfortunate for people. But I understand, he never even slept with her.”

Ross was circumspect about how he got his information.

According to an ESPN report, league officials met last week to discuss the incident and determined the situation is “not subject to the personal conduct policy as the allegations occurred well before Patricia’s affiliation with the NFL.”

Sweeney, D-Gloucester, explained he wanted to make sure the proper regulations were in place. He vowed to move quickly and, as of now, both chambers of the Legislature are slated to send Gov. Phil Murphy a bill on June 7.

If that happens, it’ll amount to a less than two-week delayed opening wait for Monmouth Park.

But for Christie, who’s four months out of office and is no longer able to call the shot’s from the governor’s office, enough time has been wasted already. So let New Jerseyans place their bets, he argues.

Bryant caught 69 passes for 838 yards and six touchdowns last season. Jason Witten, Bryant’s former teammate with the Cowboys, said earlier this month he expected the wide receiver to sign with Green Bay.