TAMPA, Fla.
Al Macinnis Jersey . -- Yankees captain Derek Jeter says Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka provides a huge boost to New Yorks rotation. After going 24-0 in Japans Pacific League last season, Tanaka agreed this week to a $155 million, seven-year contract with New York. "The game is pitching," Jeter said Friday at the Yankees minor league complex. "If you have great pitching, you always have an opportunity to win. From everything Ive heard, hes going to be quite an addition to our team." Tanaka was 99-35 with a 2.30 ERA in seven seasons with the Rakuten Golden Eagles, striking out 1,238 in 1,315 innings. He joins a rotation that includes CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda and Ivan Nova. Following just the second season in 19 years that didnt include a playoff appearance, the Yankees also agreed to deals during the off-season with catcher Brian McCann ($85 million for five years) and outfielders Jacoby Ellsbury ($153 million for seven) and Carlos Beltran ($45 million for three). "Our team has been known to make financial commitments to a lot of people throughout the course of the year," Jeter said. "Any time you have ownership thats willing to spend money and trying to do whatever they can to make the team better, it feels good for us as players." The 39-year-old Jeter finished his first week of on-field work, which included hitting off a tee in a batting cage and fielding grounders on the grass in front of the infield dirt. He said he feels good. After breaking an ankle during the 2012 playoffs, Jeter limited to 17 games last year when he was slowed by injuries to his right quadriceps and calf. He hit .190 (12 for 63) with one homer and seven RBIs.
Kevin Shattenkirk Blues Jersey . Nick Bonino and Matt Beleskey also scored in regulation and Frederik Andersen stopped 27 shots for the Ducks, who will face Dallas in the opening round of the post-season. Anze Kopitar had two goals, including the tying one with 3:12 left in the third period, and Dustin Brown also scored for Los Angeles.
Vladimir Tarasenko Jersey . Showing more spark after not taking enough challenging shots on goal in their 1-0 loss Friday night, the Bruins had 18 shots in the first period after managing just 25 in the entire opener. Luke Glendening cut Bostons lead to 2-1 at 13:20 of the second period before Milan Lucic scored late in the second and Zdeno Chara added a power-play goal early in the third.TERRIGAL, Australia -- Crystal Palace midfielder Mile Jedinak will lead Australia at the World Cup after getting the nod over Tim Cahill to replace long-term captain Lucas Neill. Australia coach Ange Postecoglou announced the decision Wednesday, five days ahead of the Socceroos last friendly on home soil before the squad leaves for Brazil. The 29-year-old Jedinak was a mainstay for Palace last season, playing every game until he had to be replaced due to a groin strain during the last Premier League match. Jedinak has played 43 times for Australia and was considered a longer-term option than 34-year-old Cahill, the New York Red Bulls star who will be playing at his third World Cup. "It is a privileged position and an accolade he richly deserves after the incredible job he has done at Crystal Palace in the toughest club competition in world football," Postecoglou said. "Mile Jedinak embodies everything that is great about Australian football and Australia as a nation. "He has risen to the top ... and done it the hard way from humble beginnings where he has battled and believed in himself to overcome the odds with an enormous work ethic and passion for what he does. I have no doubt he will lead the team with distinction in Brazil." Postecoglou told the 36-year-old Neill before unveiling the extended 30-man World Cup squad last week that he wasnt in the Socceroos future plans. Jedinak, who played in a defeat to Germany in 2010 in his only previous World Cup match, will bbe only the fourth Australian to lead the Socceroos at footballs marquee tournament, following Peter Wilson (1974), Mark Viduka (2006) and Neill (2010).
St.Louis Blues Jersey. Cahill and Mark Bresciano, who is also going to his third World Cup, were appointed as vice-captains. Jedinak led Australia for the first time during a 4-3 loss to Ecuador in a friendly in London in March. "To be handed the responsibility of captaining my country at the World Cup is humbling, yet incredibly exciting," Jedinak said. "It is an honour to be named captain but it is also a huge responsibility and I look forward to providing leadership for the team along with Tim and Mark as we take on some of the biggest nations in world football." Australia plays South Africa in a friendly on Monday before leaving for South America. The Australians were drawn into a difficult Group B with defending champion Spain, 2010 runner-up Netherlands and Chile and are considered long shots to advance to the knockout stages in Brazil. Postecoglou said Jedinaks lead-from-the-front mentality was crucial to the selection. "Hes led a group of players and a team in the English Premier League that many had written off. A lot of those characteristics apply to us right now and I know that when we get to Brazil and face up to the challenges we need to face up to, Mile and Timmy and Mark will be leading from the front," he said. "Ive challenged these guys as well to have their best World Cup ever." ' ' '