Emma Talley of Princeton, Kentucky, 9 and 8; Gillman beat Ca

BRADENTON, Fla. Manny Trillo Jersey . - Coming off their first playoff appearance in 21 years, the Pittsburgh Pirates were eager to start spring training. Several players have been training regularly at the Pirate City complex since early January. When 36 pitchers and catchers held their first official workout on Thursday, a half-dozen position players were there, too. The Pirates won 94 games last season and advanced to the NL division series, their first post-season berth since 1992. They were eliminated by the St. Louis Cardinals in the decisive Game 5. "Were still hungry," catcher Russell Martin said. "We did some special things last year, but everybody was disappointed with how it finished. I dont know what all the experts are saying, but I consider myself an expert and I think were going to do better than we did last year." They will have to do it without veteran right-hander A.J. Burnett, who has agreed to a one-year, $16 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. Burnett made 61 starts and won 26 games over the past two seasons with the Pirates. After hearing that Burnett chose not to return to Pittsburgh, Martin sent a text message to his former teammate. "I wished him well," Martin said. "I hope he stays healthy and has a good season ... and, hopefully, well meet him in the playoffs and beat him." Many players admitted they were surprised and disappointed about Burnetts departure. Others preferred to look ahead. "Weve got to move on," reliever Mark Melancon said. "You cant live in the past. This is a new year and anything can happen." Even without Burnett, the Pirates have the makings of a solid starting rotation. Left-hander Francisco Liriano, who went 16-8 with a 3.02 ERA, is the likely opening day starter. Gerrit Cole (10-7, 3.22) and Charlie Morton (7-4, 3.26) also return. Wandy Rodriguez missed most of last season due to a sore left forearm. He is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Friday and is expected to be ready for the start of the season. "Physically, hes coming along very well," general manager Neal Huntington said. "Were going to take it slow with him this spring, so hes kind of on a different program than the other guys. But, hes healthy and feels good." New arrival Edinson Volquez, who signed a $5 million deal in December, and Jeff Locke could battle for the No. 5 job. The 26-year-old Locke won eight straight starts in the first half of the season and made the NL All-Star team. However, he went 2-5 with a 6.12 ERA over his final 12 starts and was shut down in September. "Making the playoffs last year meant a lot to us," Locke said. "The fans in Pittsburgh and the rest of the baseball world hadnt seen it in a while, but I know the 25 guys in our clubhouse knew it was something we could do. Were not under anybodys radar anymore, but I think the 25 guys this year will be up to the challenge." NOTES: The Pirates signed LHP Yao-Hsun Yang to a minor league contract, which includes an invitation to spring training. Yang, 31, made nine outings last year in the minor leagues in Japan. Philadelphia Phillies Pro Shop . Some members of the U.S. Congress arent so sure. They say Russia isnt doing enough to assure that athletes will be protected at the Feb. 7-23 games, happening not far from an Islamic insurgency that Russias huge security apparatus has struggled for two decades to quell. Russia may run greater risks in towns outside the tightly controlled Olympic zone. Suicide bombs last month a few hundred kilometres (miles) away have increased concerns, and an Islamic warlord has urged his followers to attack the Sochi Olympics, Russian President Vladimir Putins pet project. Ryan Howard Jersey . First reported by FOX Sports Ken Rosenthal, its unknown if the impetus for the deferral proposal came from players or management, but it never left the preliminary stages. https://www.cheapphilliesjerseys.us/1657n-chase-utley-jersey-phillies.html . The appointment of Boullier continues the behind-the-scenes restructuring at McLaren, who recently brought back former team principal Ron Dennis as its new chief executive.GLEN COVE, N.Y. -- Canadian teen Brooke Mackenzie Henderson advanced to the U.S. Womens Amateur quarterfinals Thursday, winning two matches at Nassau Country Club. The 16-year-old Henderson, the low amateur in the U.S. Womens Open, beat Ember Schuldt of Sterling, Illinois 4 and 3 in the morning, and topped Dylan Kim of Plano, Texas, 3 and 2 in the third round. "It was a little up and down," said Henderson, second in the world amateur ranking. "We both werent playing great, but we sort of fought it out until the end." Henderson, from Smith Falls, Ontario, is trying to become the first Canadian winner since Cathy Sherk in 1978. Henderson will face Alison Lee of Valencia, California, on Friday. Lee edged Eimi Koga of Honolulu in 20 holes in the third round. In the other upper-bracket quarterfinal, Hannah OSullivan of Paradise Valley, Arizona, will play Grace Na of Alameda, California. In the third round, OSullivan edged Canadas Augusta James in 20 holes, and Na beat Laauren Kim of Los Altos, California, 2 up. Jonathan Papelbon Jersey. In the lower bracket, Australias Su-Hyun Oh will play Kristen Gillman of Austin, Texas; and Andrea Lee of Hermosa Beach, California, will face South Koreas 14-year-old Eunjeong Seong. In the third round, Oh routed defending champion Emma Talley of Princeton, Kentucky, 9 and 8; Gillman beat Casey Danielson of Osceola, Wisconsin, 5 and 3; Andrea Lee topped Jessica Porvasnik of Hinckley, Ohio, 4 and 2; and Seong beat New Zealands Liv Cheng in 19 holes. "Emma didnt play her best, but she also had some really bad breaks in the middle," Oh said. "In the end, it all just went my way." Ohs margin was the biggest since 2005 when Angela Park beat Jennifer Ackerson, also 9 and 8. "Sometimes you run into someone thats playing really well," said Talley, the Alabama player who made the deciding putt in the Curtis Cup. "We started out basically the same. She just made her putts and I didnt." ' ' '

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