SB Nation Minnesota - Full StoryStream™ Articles

Vikings In No Rush To Sign Rookies, And That's Not A Cause For Concern

2012-05-16T17:16:22Z

The Minnesota Vikings are falling behind in a sense - in that they don't have any of their rookies under contract for the 2012 season, while most teams have already got started. That isn't necessarily a bad thing by any means, as things are made much simpler by the rookie wage scale in place. Rookies are sgiven a certain amount based on where they were drafted, give or take a few bucks here and there.

It still is a little odd as to why the Vikings haven't even gotten started, but the Pioneer Press sheds some light on things:

But there could be several reasons why the Vikings are waiting. Sometimes, it's as simple as cash flow/accounting. Teams want to make sure their books are in order. Maybe they haven't gotten around to negotiating with all the player agents. Some agents like to do business in person if they can. Such plans take time. Or maybe the team simply isn't ready.

As the piece goes on to note, the Vikings are simply being patient, and when they are ready to get players signed, it should come at a rapid clip. Even if rookies hold out to some extent, there's really no danger of entering training camp and the preseason with uncooperative rookies with the new wage scale.

Of course, it's a new scale, and there's a first time for everything!

For more on the Minnesota Vikings, go to Daily Norseman. You can also get all of your professional football news over at SB Nation's NFL hub.

Minnesota Vikings Sign OT Kevin Murphy, DE Nick Reed

2012-05-16T13:26:04Z

The offseason has been full of new faces for the Minnesota Vikings from the draft and free agency, and the Vikings continued to add bodies to the group on Tuesday when they picked up two more players.

They first signed former Harvard OT Kevin Murphy, releasing former Arkansas OT Jose Valdez in order to get room on the roster for him. Murphy was NFLdraftscout.com's 27th overall ranked tackle in the 2012 NFL Draft class and had originally been signed by the San Francisco 49ers before they waived him back on May 14.

The Vikings also signed Nick Reed, a defensive end who was originally drafted in the seventh round of the 2009 draft but was out of the league by 2010. He was with the Vikings back in their rookie camp and before that had been with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Since the team is at the 90 man roster limit, they had to release DE Kevin Cyrille in order to make room on the roster for Reed.

For more on the Minnesota Vikings, head over to The Daily Norseman. More news and analysis on the NFL in general can be found at SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Justin Morneau Injury: Twins Slugger To Be Activated Wednesday

2012-05-16T12:56:07Z

First baseman Chris Parmelee has been optioned to Triple-A Rochester as the Minnesota Twins announced on Wednesday that their slugger Justin Morneau will be back with the team as they face the Detroit Tigers.

Morneau was sent to the DL on May 1 because of wrist pains, so Wednesday will be the first day that he is eligible to return to the team and try and help the lowly Twins roster pick up their offense after being swept in a two game set against Cleveland.

Fortunately, it looks like he's completely healthy again and will be ready to face a tough Tigers pitching rotation as they start their series against Detroit:

"He's ready to play," Gardenhire said of Morneau after the Twins' 5-0 loss to the Indians on Tuesday. "He doesn't feel anything right now. He's swinging good. He took early BP today without any problems."

Morneau is likely to take over the first base duties from Parmelee, who was ineffective at the position during his time there. Morneau had spent most of his games so far playing as the Designated Hitter this season.

More on Justin Morneau and the Minnesota Twins can be found over at Twinkie Town. More news and analysis on Major League Baseball can be found over at Baseball Nation.

Tour of California 2012, Stage 4: Peter Sagan Looks To Continue Domination Of Race

2012-05-16T12:30:48Z

Wednesday, May 16 will bring us Stage Four of the Tour of California, the longest leg of the entire race and one of the most difficult not only because of its length, but because of the lack of flat stretches of road as it twists and turns through mountains.

Stage Four takes the cyclists from Sonora to Clovis and stretches a full 130.2 miles by the time it ends.

The race has been dominated by 22 year old Slovakian Peter Sagan of the Liquigas-Cannondale team, who made race history when he won all three of the first day's legs to keep the yellow winner's jacket.

As usual, the race will have television coverage from NBC Sports Network all day. Viewers can stream the event as well as see highlights of the race so far -- here's a hint, Peter Sagan will likely be involved -- at the Tour of California "Race Video" page.

For more information on the 2012 Tour of California, check out this SB Nation Minnesota story stream. More on Cycling in general can be found over at Podium Cafe.

Former Minnesota Guard Chip Armelin Transfers To Southern Mississippi

2012-05-15T21:08:10Z

Former Minnesota Golden Gophers reserve guard Chip Armelin was granted a release from his scholarship back in April, and has now decided to further his basketball career at Southern Mississippi. Armelin informed the Pioneer Press of his transfer intentions on Tuesday, as he figures to have much more viable chance at playing time now that he's away from Big Ten competition when he becomes eligible in 2013-14.

Armelin was reportedly unhappy with his usage during his time with the Gophers, and is hoping that head coach Donnie Tyndall's more wide open offensive style will offer more opportunities. "Coach really likes my style of play, and he figures that I'll be a perfect match in his system," Armelin said.

The 6-foot-3 guard from Sulphur, Louisiana averaged 5.2 points as a sophomore and 4.4 points per game as a freshman for Minnesota and head coach Tubby Smith. He will have two full years of eligibility remaining after sitting out the 2012-13 season.

For more on the Golden Gophers, head over to The Daily Gopher. For more college hoops coverage, be sure to check out SB Nation's NCAA basketball hub.

Carl Pavano Injury Update: Twins Pitcher Will Not Make Road Trip To Detroit

2012-05-15T20:49:48Z

Despite being on the mound for his scheduled start on Monday against the Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins hurler Carl Pavano is not planning to travel with the team on its upcoming road trip to Detroit. Pavano told the Pioneer Press that he plans to seek a second opinion on his MRI results from this past week.

The veteran righthander is expected to speak with New York orthopedist Dr. David Altchek, the same doctor who performed his '07 Tommy John surgery, at some point later in the week to confirm the depth of his shoulder injury.

"He's a doctor I have respect for and I trust, same as with our doctor, but that's what the second opinion is for," Pavano said. "I have a little more of a personal relationship with him just because of my past with him. It's just an opportunity for him to give me an opinion. It could very much be the same opinion as the team doctor; a lot of the time, that's the way it works out."

Pavano tossed six innings in Monday's loss to the Indians, scattering six hits with three strikeouts. He yielded four earned runs for the fifth time this year during the start and raised his ERA to 5.14, but only threw 72 pitches as a precautionary measure and still might not be mechanically sound amidst the injury. For more on Pavano's injury, stay locked with this StoryStream.

For more Twins coverage, head over to Twinkie Town. And for more MLB news and expert analysis, be sure to check out Baseball Nation.

Carl Pavano Injury: Twins Pitcher Will Not Go On Roadtrip To Detroit

2012-05-15T20:09:47Z

Carl Pavano was able to make his scheduled start on Monday, but the Minnesota Twins pitcher isn't expected to be present for the team's roadtrip to Detroit this week.

Minnesota Twins veteran starter Carl Pavano was given a precautionary MRI on his throwing shoulder on Sunday morning by team doctors, but is still expected to make his scheduled start on Monday against Cleveland. Fox Sports Net's Tyler Mason reported via Twitter that Pavano's shoulder showed minor inflammation, but that it wasn't severe enough for the team to push his start back.

Gardy said Carl Pavano recently had a precautionary MRI on his right shoulder. A little inflammation, but he'll start tomorrow. #Twins
— Tyler Mason (@FSNtylermason) May 13, 2012

Clearly the Twins were not worried about even the slightest bit of inflammation, but it is a cause for concern that a reliable starter like Pavano would have an MRI exactly one day before he is expected to take the mound. Considering the state of Minnesota's dismal season however, it's entirely possible that the team wants to get as much from proven arm like Pavano as it can.

Be sure to stay with SB Nation Minnesota for any updates on Pavano's status.

For more on the Twins, head over to Twinkie Town. And for more MLB news and information, be sure to check out Baseball Nation.

Twins Vs. Indians: Minnesota Falls To Tribe, 5-0

2012-05-15T20:05:33Z

Coming off of a heartbreaking effort on Monday night, many hoped that the Minnesota Twins could build off their failed comeback attempt to pull out a series split on Tuesday afternoon against the American League Central Division's best team, the Cleveland Indians.

Unfortunately, all the Twins did was fail.

The team was completely dominated by the Tribe's starting pitcher, Derek Lowe who pitched a complete game shutout without striking out a single batter. He allowed only six hits and walked four.

The wheels officially fell off in the fifth inning when the Indians managed to hit three homeruns in the frame, including back-to-back homeruns by Asdrubal Cabrera and Carlos Santana, which brought the score to 5-0. That's where it ultimately remaining as the final score proved to be the same.

Twins starting pitcher Jason Marquis pitched five innings and was tagged with five earned runs on nine hits. His record now falls to 2-3 on the season.

Minnesota will open another two-game set against a Central Division rival on Wednesday as they travel to Detroit to take on the Tigers.

For more on the Minnesota Twins, check out Twinkie Town. For more on the Cleveland Indians, head over to Let's Go Tribe. For more news and analysis on Major League Baseball, head over to Baseball Nation.