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DETROIT - Justin Verlander is doing his best to take Max Scherzers departure in stride.Yes, the Detroit Tigers will miss Scherzer, one of the games top right-handers. But his exit via free agency was by no means a shock.Obviously you dont want to see a teammate go, but you can kind of see it coming too, Verlander said Thursday. I think once that deal was turned down last year, I think the probability of him coming back went way down. Thats the nature of the sport.Scherzer signed with the Washington Nationals this week after a five-year run in Detroit that included four division titles, a Cy Young Award in 2013 and strikeout totals that even Verlander had a hard time keeping up with. Now the Tigers will try for a fifth straight AL Central championship with a retooled rotation that also lost Rick Porcello. This may be the first time in a while that Detroit isnt a solid favourite to win the division.Scherzer turned down a lucrative deal with the Tigers before last season, and he ended up signing a $210 million, seven-year contract with the Nationals.Obviously, you lose a player of that calibre, its always tough. I think this organizations been preparing for that since last year, and I think if anybody, this staff has the capability to lose a guy of that calibre and still not miss a beat, Verlander said at the start of the Tigers winter caravan. I think were still going to be one of the best staffs in baseball, if not the best. Youve just got to perform. I know Ive got to pitch better and I will.Verlander was the American League MVP in 2011 and remained dominant the following year as well, but his performance dipped a bit in 2013, and last year he went 15-12 with a 4.54 ERA. At this time last year, Verlander was recovering from core muscle repair surgery, so hes hoping a more normal off-season will help.The rotation has been the backbone of the Tigers success over the last few seasons, but it looks a lot different than it did at the beginning of 2014. Detroit acquired star left-hander David Price at last years trade deadline, sending starter Drew Smyly to Tampa Bay in that deal. The Tigers then traded Porcello in the off-season for Boston outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.Detroit also traded for right-handers Shane Greene and Alfredo Simon this off-season, and its those two newcomers who now face the daunting task of replacing Scherzer and Porcello.I have a lot of expectations for myself, and theyre probably higher than most peoples expectations for me, said Greene, who went 5-4 with a 3.78 ERA as a rookie for the New York Yankees last year.Price may be the key to Detroits division title defence. The Tigers can look forward to having him for a full season, although he can become a free agent at the end of it.Price went 4-4 in 11 starts with the Tigers, but he ended last season on a good note, shutting down Minnesota in a division-clinching victory in Game 162. He also pitched well in his lone playoff start, although the Tigers were swept by Baltimore in the AL Division Series.We want to pick up, not where we left off last year, but we want to continue the success that the Tigers have had in recent years, Price said. We want to build on that as well and be the last team playing in October.Losing Scherzer was certainly a setback, but it doesnt have to be a crippling one.I talked to Max the day it kind of broke. Max is a good guy. Hes got a great sense of humour, Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said. I was happy for him. I kind of knew, it kind of seemed all along that he wasnt going to be coming back here as a Tiger, so Im just glad he went to the National League.NOTES: Ausmus said hes been in touch with slugger Miguel Cabrera, who had off-season surgery on his right ankle. Hes out of the boot, as of a week ago maybe. Hes in shoes, Ausmus said. Hes got another appointment mid-February, just before spring training, and were hoping that all goes well, and the doctor says he can really start doing some stuff on it. Saucony Running Shoes Clearance Uk . -- Jaye Marie Green shot a course-record 10-under 62 on Wednesday to take the first-round lead in the LPGA Tours qualifying tournament. Saucony Running Shoes Uk .The Los Angeles Lakers star passed Michael Jordan for third on the NBAs career scoring list Sunday night in a 100-94 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. http://www.cheapsauconyuk.com/ . In a matchup of teams battling head-to-head for the final playoff spot in Major League Soccers Western Conference, the Whitecaps run to the post-season took a hard hit when FC Dallas blew open a tie game with two goals in the final minutes for a 3-1 victory Saturday night. Buy Saucony Shoes Uk . PAUL, Minn. Cheap Saucony Shoes Uk . The Philadelphia Eagles acquired running back Darren Sproles from the New Orleans Saints for a fifth-round draft pick on Tuesday.RENTON, Wash. -- Pete Carroll told Percy Harvin that the Seattle Seahawks were considering placing him on injured reserve to open up a roster spot ahead of the post-season. Harvins response: "Coach Im ready to play ball." That conversation less than two weeks ago was the start of a return that took another significant step on Thursday when Carroll announced Harvin would play on Saturday against New Orleans in an NFC divisional playoff game. "Were excited about him going and excited for him. Its been a long, long haul for a guy thats such a great competitor and it means so much," Carroll said. "For him to have the opportunity to join us now is really exciting, I know, for him and us, too." There will be no limitations on how Seattle can use its biggest off-season acquisition, brought to Seattle in a trade with Minnesota. Harvin ended up a spectator for most of the 2013 regular season, but now could make his biggest impact in the playoffs as a wide receiver and kick returner. It could be a big boost to Seattles offence, which slumped late in the season. "Im just glad to be out there helping my team win right now. The playoffs, thats what we all dream about, to have home-field advantage, to have all the things the team has put in place. It would be hard for me to try to not be out there," Harvin said. "Everything worked out for the best and Im looking forward to being out there and helping this team win." Harvin missed the first 2 1/2 months of the season following hip surgery in early August. He returned in Week 11 against Minnesota and caught one pass and had a 58-yard kickoff return. Harvin was then sidelined again by what Carroll called "soreness." But Harvins problems went beyond just soreness.dddddddddddd He had fluid buildup and swelling in his hip following that game against the Vikings, a 41-20 Seattle victory. "I kind of knew during the game. Something quite didnt feel right," Harvin said. "But it was expected. It was expected but we didnt know to that extreme. It came and that was a setback that we had. We had two, three of them but they are in the past." The turning point for Harvin came on Dec. 30 when Carroll essentially gave an ultimatum, saying the team was considering putting him on injured reserve. Harvin was impressive enough during a 15-minute workout with quarterback Russell Wilson that Carroll delayed making a roster decision. Harvin took part in practice both days last week while Seattle was on its bye and was a full participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday this week. "Im just looking to fit in anywhere I can. This offence has done its share and wouldnt be in this position that it is right now," Harvin said. "This team is already set. The foundation is set. Im just looking to jump on the bus and enjoy the ride." The Seahawks also expect rookie tight end Luke Willson to be able to play less than two weeks after he was taken off the field on a cart after injuring his left ankle against St. Louis in the regular season finale. Willson was initially feared to have a fracture, but was later diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain. He was a full participant in practice Wednesday and Thursday. "They checked him out right off the bat and looked like he had a broken leg, and they checked him out again later that night and he didnt," Carroll said. "So all I can tell you is it was remarkable whatever happened in there." ' ' '