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ATLANTA -- The Braves added a needed veteran for their rotation Monday when they agreed to a $4 million, one-year contract with right-hander Gavin Floyd. Packers Julius Peppers Green Jersey . Now the question is when Floyd will be ready to pitch. Floyd, 30, is recovering from surgery in May to repair the ulnar collateral ligament and a torn flexor muscle in his right elbow. That ended his seventh season with the White Sox. He passed a physical in Atlanta on Monday before completing the deal, which also includes roster and performance bonuses. Floyd said his arm "feels tremendous." "Its nice to start over, create the right mechanics ... all the simple things to become more natural," he said. Atlanta also avoided arbitration with pitcher Brandon Beachy, agreeing to a $1.45 million, one-year deal. He would earn a $25,000 bonus for 30 starts. Floyd, who spoke at Turner Field on Monday, said he already has recovered his arm speed and is just working on endurance. He said he has been cleared to throw from 55 feet. Braves general manager Frank Wren said he hopes Floyd can be ready in May. Despite his optimistic update on his recovery, Floyd said "I have no idea" when hell be ready to pitch. Floyd said he liked the Braves, who won the NL East in 2013, for their consistent success. "It just seemed like all the arrows were pointing to Atlanta," he said. Wren said he expects Floyd to be a "solid, middle of the rotation starter." The Braves needed more experience in the rotation after losing Tim Hudson, who signed with the Giants, and free agent Paul Maholm. The rotation returns Julio Teheran, Mike Minor, Kris Medlen, Brandon Beachy and Alex Wood. Medlen, 28, has the most experience of the group. Beachy, 27, missed most of the 2013 season recovering from elbow ligament-replacement surgery. David Hale, who was 1-0 with a 0.82 ERA in two starts this year, could compete for a spot. Wood pitched in relief in 20 of his 31 appearances last season. Even before Hudson signed with the Giants, Wren said adding a veteran starting pitcher was a top off-season priority. Wren said Floyd will help the younger starters. "Hes a solid starter thats been around and knows what needs to be done," Wren said. Before the elbow injury, Floyd consistently logged 180 or more innings with the White Sox. He won 10 or more games in five straight seasons from 2008-12. He was 0-4 with a 5.18 ERA in five games this year. Floyds best season in Chicago came in 2008, when he was 17-8. He has a 70-70 career record with the White Sox and Phillies. Floyd can earn $675,000 in roster bonuses: $175,000 for 15 days and $250,000 each for 30 and 60 days. He also can earn $250,000 each for each start from 21-28 and $500,000 apiece for each start from 30-33. Packers Richard Rodgers White Jersey . According to the Washington Post, the Washington Capitals placed Green on the long-term injured list on Thursday meaning he wont be back in the lineup before February 1st. Packers Julius Peppers Authentic Jersey . Ward stole a pair of goals from Winnipeg centre Bryan Little in the first period, beginning with a pad save during a Jets two-man advantage and then displaying his quickness with a highlight-reel stick stop. SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Demetrious Johnson had a little something to show anybody who still doubts the UFCs small guys can produce big knockouts. Johnson stopped Joseph Benavidez with a devastating right hand in the first round Saturday night, defending his UFC flyweight title and capping a dominant year for the 5-foot-3 champion known as Mighty Mouse. With his third win of the year, Johnson (19-2-1) remained the only champion in the history of the UFCs lightest mens division. But he did it in a fashion almost nobody expected, catching Benavidez (19-4) directly in the face with an unblocked punch and knocking the challenger senseless 2:08 into the fight. "A lot of people say I dont have knockout power, but Im always getting better," Johnson said. "I just let it go, and I was happy to get the finish." Local favourites Urijah Faber and Chad Mendes also won on a card stacked with mixed martial artists from Northern California, but Johnson -- from the Seattle area -- silenced Benavidezs hometown crowd by winning a rematch against a fighter who inspired him to get into the sport. Benavidez appeared to be out cold before he hit the canvas, and Johnson landed several additional punches before the referee stepped in. Johnson beat Benavidez by split decision in Toronto 15 months ago, claiming the UFCs first flyweight title in a tight matchup. Johnson defended his title twice earlier this year against John Dodson and John Moraga, but Benavidez earned his way back to a title shot with three straight victories this year, the last two by impressive stoppage. "If people want to see me as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, thats totally fine," Johnson said. "My job is to go back in the gym and keep working. It was a great year for me. Had a couple of great fights, and Im happy to come away with this knockout. ... It would be awesome to be the fighter of the year for 2013, but my goal is just to keep on getting better and win fights." Faber stopped Michael McDonald in the second round, knocking the younger bantamweight into the side of the cage with punches before finishing with a guillotine choke. Mendes fought off an illness to beat Nik Lentz by decision. Lightweight Joe Lauzon opened the televised card by beating Mac Danzig in a bloody unanimous decision. Faber (30-6) was fighting in his hometown for the first time in nine bouts since April 2010, and for the first time under the UFC bannner. Packers Jordy Nelson Realtree Jersey. He was a champion in the lighter-weight WEC promotion before it was absorbed by the UFC, and he appears to be rounding into championship form again in the 135-pound division. "People say Im old, but Im 34," Faber said. "Look at what people are doing in their 40s and 50s, and its amazing. The guys on my team prepared me so well for this fight that I never doubted I would get the victory." The Sacramento crowd roared throughout Fabers ring walk to his trademark song, 2Pacs "California Love," and they actively booed McDonald, whos from nearby Modesto. Faber took charge from the opening moments, controlling the fight on the ground and in standup. Faber caught McDonald with punches early in the second round and again midway through the round, knocking his stumbling opponent of the side of the cage with the force of his blows. Faber pounced on the prone McDonald and finished it with one of his trademark chokes, thrilling the crowd. "There is a real sense of community here in Sacramento," Faber said. "We have a lot to cheer about, and Im glad I get to play a role in that. Michael McDonald is a tremendous opponent and I really look forward to watching his career. Hes got so much potential, but tonight was my night." McDonald (16-3) has lost two of his last three bouts, also losing by submission in a title shot against Renan Barao in February. Mendes (16-1) won without much flair, controlling the first round and largely coasting through the final 10 minutes against Lentz (26-6-2). Mendes, who had stopped his last four opponents, said he had a sinus infection. "After the first round, my lungs felt heavy," Mendes said. "But I just had to power through it. I hit Lentz hard, about as hard as any guy I have ever fought. He kept bouncing back." Lauzon (23-10) won every round for just his second victory in his last five fights, leaving Danzig (22-12-1) with a bloody face and a badly damaged nose after his fourth loss in five bouts. Canadian lightweight Sam Stout won every round in an early decision over Cody McKenzie, who fought in plain white shorts with pockets -- and the price tags still attached until referee Herb Dean ripped them off. McKenzie forgot his shorts at his hotel and had to buy a new pair outside the arena. "Thats one of the weirdest things Ive ever seen, and its even weirder that we let it happen," White said. ' ' ' |
