Twins lock up P Blackburn, sign 20 others

Baseball Betting Lines

03/07/2010 - Fort Myers, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Minnesota Twins on Sunday signed pitcher Nick Blackburn to a four-year, $14 million contract. The deal also includes a club option for the 2014 season worth $8 million.

Blackburn started 33 games last season for the AL Central champs, posting an 11-11 record with a 4.03 earned run average over a career-high 205 2/3 innings.

He is 22-24 with a 4.14 ERA in 72 career games (66 starts) -- all with the Twins.

Minnesota also signed 20 other players to 2010 contracts.

Among the notable signees were pitchers Brian Duensing, Jose Mijares, Glen Perkins, Kevin Slowey and Anthony Swarzak, outfielder Denard Span, infielder Alexi Casilla and backup catcher Jose Morales.

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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.

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