Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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irish in the pros Thomas, fits more of the short-yardage role than a big-play threat. He had 12 carries for 49 yards in three preseason games. Neither is considered a complete back at this point in their careers. That leaves rookie Mike Gillislee (22 attempts for 67 yards) out of Florida and Gray to prove they deserve a spot on the team. "Jonas has been a pleasant surprise," Jeff Nixon, Miami's running backs coach, told reporters after the second game. "He has really good lower-body strength. He's a guy who can run the ball downhill, but he's quicker than you think for his size." Gray said he's been working with the special teams to try to increase his value. He played special teams even as a starting running back at Notre Dame and he thinks he can help himself by jumping into those units in the preseason. "I have to," he said. "Plus I'm excited to do it. Working with special teams allows me to use my strength and my speed to help. I'm willing to do whatever they need me to." Gray has two preseason games during the last week of August to set himself apart. The Dolphins play Tampa Bay Aug. 24 and then New Orleans Aug. 29. MLB Player Update Through Aug. 19 • John Axford (Played at Notre Dame from 200205), RHP, Milwaukee Brewers: Stood 6-6 with no saves and a 4.35 ERA in 58 relief appearances … Had 51 strikeouts in 492⁄3 innings, but also permitted 80 baserunners (58 hits, 21 walks and one hit by pitch) … Lost the closer role after surrendering nine earned runs over three and one-third innings in his first four appearances of the season … Rebounded in the middle of the season, but allowed three earned runs in five and one-third innings of work to start the month of August. • Jeff Manship (2004-06), RHP, Colorado Rockies: Has spent most of the season with the Triple‑A Colorado Springs Sky Sox … Was 6-8 with a 4.85 ERA in 24 appearances (17 starts) … Started two games for the Rockies in August and allowed eight earned runs in 10 innings of work. • David Phelps (2005-08), RHP, New York Yankees: Was moved to the 60-day disabled list in August after missing almost all of July with an elbow injury … Was 6-5 with a 5.01 ERA in 18 appearances, 12 of which were starts … Collected 75 strikeouts and walked 32 batters in 822⁄3 innings. • A.J. Pollock (2007-09), OF, Arizona Diamondbacks: Played 105 of Arizona's first 123 games … Was hitting .248 with six home runs and 30 RBI … Also stole eight bases on 11 attempts and had an on-base percentage of .296. • Jeff Samardzija (2004-06), RHP, Chicago Cubs: Sported a 7-11 record with a 4.12 ERA in 26 starts as the Cubs' No. 1 hurler … Notched 168 strikeouts while allowing 160 hits in his 1681⁄3 innings of work … Earned his first victory in nearly a month by tossing a complete-game six-hitter with no walks and five strikeouts in an 11-1 win over Washington Aug. 19. MLS Player Update Through Aug. 18 • Matt Besler (Played at Notre Dame from 2005‑08), D, Sporting KC: Started all 18 games for Kansas City so far this season at central defender and assisted on one goal … Named to the MLS All-Star team for the second time in his career … Will add to his seven national caps after being called up to the U.S. Senior National Team for the elimination rounds of the Gold Cup tournament in late July. ✦