The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MICHIGAN IN THE PROS Major League Baseball pitcher Rich Hill's surgically re- paired left elbow started in May, leading to a stint on the 15-day dis- abled list. Fifteen days turned into at least four times that when he was transferred to the 60-day disabled list July 6, having started to throw but not making enough progress to warrant a roster spot. Hill, now 32 years old, underwent Tightness in former Michigan DISAPPOINTING TWIST RICH HILL'S COMEBACK STORY TAKES A Tommy John surgery in the offsea- son and beat the odds to earn a spot with the Boston Red Sox as a mid- dle reliever. His 17 appearances tied for second-most in his career — he pitched 32 games with the Chicago Cubs in 2007, going 11-8 with a 3.92 ERA — and he seemed primed for his best season in years after appear- ing in 15 games total for the Red Sox in 2010 and 2011. "It bothered him a little, and then The NFL LEON HALL EXPECTS TO BE pects the Bengals to field one of the league's best defenses in 2012. current Cincinnati standout Leon Hall, coming off Achilles surgery fol- lowing a devastating injury suffered last November, is progressing and expects to be back for training camp. Hall told 1530 AM in Cincinnati he was healing and starting to feel con- fident about his return. "I don't have a percentage for you, READY FOR TRAINING CAMP Former Michigan cornerback and phins quarterback Chad Henne leads the list of former Wolverines on the move in the NFL. He signed a two-year deal with Jacksonville reportedly worth $6.75 million in the offseason. "He's coming in as a backup, compet- • Former Michigan and Miami Dol- NFL NOTES ing for a starting job [with Blaine Gab- bert], but as far as the work that I'm do- ing and how well I'm doing it, I feel pretty close," Hall said. "Obviously it's a little different from doing my drills on the side and being on the ac- tual football field with 10 other play- ers. I feel confident that I will be able to do it. I'm going to be smart about it, but at the same time, training camp is my goal and I'm going to stick to it." Getting up to speed physically has it went away and there was no prob- lem," Red Sox manager Bobby Val- entine told NESN.com in June. "I heard of it one of those days where I didn't use him for three days or so, and then he said he was fine." Hill told reporters he didn't and allowed only 12 hits and four earned runs, while going 1-0 with 11 strikeouts and a 2.63 ERA. He'd also notched five holds in his mid- dle relief role. "have any answers" after leaving a game with Seattle due to what was later diagnosed as a strained flexor tendon. Hill had pitched 132 ⁄3 innings MLB PLAYER UPDATES Through July 16 2004-05), 2B, Kansas City Royals: Bat- ting .254 with a double, a triple, six RBI and eight walks … Boasts an on-base percentage of .343 with 10 runs scored. • Clayton Richard (2004-05), P, San • Chris Getz (Played at U-M from Diego Padres: Has a 6-10 record with a 3.83 ERA, 70 strikeouts and 28 walks in 19 games (127 innings pitched) … Had allowed two or less earned runs in six of his last nine starts. • J.J. Putz (1995-99), P, Arizona Dia- mondbacks: Stands 1-4 with a 4.20 ERA and has 17 saves … Has struck out 31 against seven walks. not necessarily been the hardest part to deal with, he added. "There's a certain point where my Achilles is strong enough to do cer- tain things, but if I didn't have any confidence in doing it, it would be very hard to do," he said. "It's just kind of getting over the mental as- pect of it, which I don't have to deal with now because I'm pretty confi- dent. Earlier in the stage you kind of always have those doubts." Hall, a former All-Pro, said he ex- the Associated Press. "Everybody comes in here to compete for a starting job. I hope that's the way it's always going to be. We don't want anybody here that's very comfortable and wants to be in a backup role, and never will. " head coach Mike Mularkey told last year by San Francisco after suffering a knee injury, remains a free agent. The New York Post reported Edwards might sign with the New York Jets, with whom he spent parts of the 2009 and 2010 seasons, but the Jets took a pass. • Jake Long shouldn't plan on leaving • Wide receiver Braylon Edwards, cut " Miami anytime soon. Long, in the last year of a five-year contract, is seeking to be the highest-paid left tackle in the league, but the Miami Herald reports the Dolphins plan on using the fran- chise tag on him in 2013 if a long-term deal isn't reached. Some had speculated Long might be on the way out after Mi- ami drafted Stanford tackle Jonathan Martin, but the Dolphins' brass plan to keep Long for the foreseeable future. ❑ HEADLINERS Former Michigan athletes in the news this month reportedly married longtime girlfriend Jordan Vinson, with whom he has a young daughter (Gabrielle), June 30. but he's not yet ready to retire. He told NBCSports.com he would love to rejoin the Detroit Red Wings, the team that drafted him. "The biggest thing is how you feel physically, and I feel great, said. "Mentally, I can definitely go through another season." LaMarr Woodley • NFL Woodley is no longer one of the NFL's most eligible bachelors. He Mike Knuble • NHL The Washington Capitals will not re-sign the 40-year-old Knuble, " he morial Trophy in June, an award given to the player who best ex- emplifies perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. He rebounded from a serious back injury suffered in 2011 to notch 33 goals and 32 assists. Max Pacioretty • NHL The Montreal Canadiens' left wing captured the Masterson Me- AUGUST 2012 THE WOLVERINE 89