Clan-Members » made his 2016 Dodgers debut

Each week, The Reporters put their thumbs out to the good and the bad in the world of sports. This week they discuss the IOC and Russias policy towards homosexuality, the poor defence of the Toronto Blue Jays, the stellar defence of Los Angeles Angels outfielder J.B. Shuck and the Canadian mens basketball team. Bruce Arthur, National Post: My thumb is up to the pressure being exerted on the International Olympic Committee and its partners over Russias violent and despicable oppression of homosexuality in advance of the 2014 Games in Sochi. Russia is sending mixed messages; public support of homosexuality will or wont be allowed, but its policies are abhorrent, either way. Opponents are pushing boycotts, none of which seem likely, though its a worthy debate. Either way, this has a chance to be a critical moment in the global push for equal rights. The world will be watching, someone will speak up and the IOC and its sponsors will have a small and unlikely chance to prove that their amoral globe-trotting sporting carnival has any morals whatsoever. Steve Simmons, Sun Media: My thumb is down to the Toronto Blue Jays, and no, Im not going to squawk about starting pitching this morning. Its about their defence - which has been described by one American League scout as being similar to a slo-pitch softball team. Thats not meant as a compliment. Ive been watching this team from its infancy and honestly, I cant remember a Jays club as poor defensively as this one. Its one thing to be near the bottom in earned runs given up. Its another thing entirely to marry that with being near the bottom in unearned runs allowed. Its a formula that adds up to a last place finish. Gary Lawless, Winnipeg Free Press: Thumbs up to the future of Canadas senior mens basketball team which has gone from a witness protection program to one of promise. New GM Steve Nash gave the program buzz and substance all in one make-it-look easy, no-look pass. Not long ago Basketball Canada had difficulty attracting NBA players but now, according to coach Jay Triano, theyll find themselves in a position where theyll be strong enough to cut an NBA player. Nash and Triano can look at their top end talent and see Tristan Thompson, Cory Joseph, Andrew Nicholson and Joel Anthony. First overall pick Anthony Bennett and lottery selection Kelly Olynyk and also on the radar as is 2014 projected no. 1 pick Andrew Wiggins. Nash calls this new era the golden age of Basketball in Canada. Fair enough. The fun part starts now as we get to watch and see if they can transform from paper tigers to giant slayers. Dave Hodge, TSN: Steve talked about shoddy defence by the Toronto Blue Jays -- well, on Friday night, a sensational defensive play by Angels outfielder J.B. Shuck reminded the Jays how important plays in the field can be--they can be as good as a Jose Bautista homer, if they can rob Jose Bautista of a homer. Undoubtedly this play made Bautista say something stronger than "shucks". The otherwise little-known J.B. Shuck had a long run to the left-field corner -- he had the ball and the wall to deal with, and he had to leap to make the catch, and then he disappeared.... with the ball in his glove. It was one of those plays that made everyone who saw it happen "live" say the same thing in unison -- "Sportscentre highlight." Indeed, it was. Cheap Vikings Jerseys . They were putting most of their energy into a record-setting offensive display. Wholesale Vikings Jerseys . Nigeria beat surprise package Ethiopia 2-0 in the second leg of their playoff for a comfortable 4-1 aggregate victory. Victor Moses converted a 20th-minute penalty after an Ethiopian handball, and Victor Obinna made certain of Nigerias place in Brazil with his powerful free kick in the 82nd at UJ Esuene Stadium. http://www.cheapvikingsjerseyselite.com/ . -- Jaye Marie Green shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to increase her lead to five strokes after the second round of the LPGA Tours qualifying tournament. Cheap Vikings Jerseys China . -- Charline Labonte couldnt have asked for a better homecoming. Cheap Minnesota Vikings Jerseys . And when it opened, every player was at his stall. Thats a sure sign that a team is in a slump and is searching for answers. "Its embarrassing to be at home and play the way we did," said defenceman Josh Gorges. LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers could be a day away from deciding if Hyun-Jin Ryu will follow Brandon McCarthys lead and rejoin the major league rotation.Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Sunday that a decision is forthcoming on the status of Ryu, who has been out since last year after undergoing shoulder surgery.Ryu, who has endured multiple minor setbacks on his road to recovery, most recently pitched a rehab start Friday for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. He threw 84 pitches.I think any time you go through a rehab process, that last step, getting back to a major league level, you cant simulate in any way, Friedman said. He attacked the rehab process in a way that showed how much he wanted to get back, and I think each start has gotten progressively better, which is what you expect to see.McCarthy made his 2016 Dodgers debut Sundday after undergoing Tommy John surgery last year.dddddddddddd He made his most recent rehab start last week and threw 72 pitches.The Dodgers were originally hopeful that Ryu could be back by May, but he went through a groin strain during spring training and then felt some shoulder discomfort after starting his minor league rehab assignment.Rookie Julio Urias is expected to start for the Dodgers on Monday. It could be the left-handers last major league start before he returns to the minor leagues. Ryu could end up taking Urias spot on the active roster.With the time off, it just takes a little bit of time assessing if we think he needs one more rehab start or whether or not this is the last step of the journey, Friedman said of Ryu. ' ' '