warum » es, Nadal said. I will hope for first round, second

DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Alex Anthopoulos spoke volumes with what he didnt say on right-hander Ervin Santana. The Blue Jays had been in the mix for the former Kansas City Royal with several Toronto players making a public plea to sign the 33-year-old former all-star. But Santana, a Dominican who counts several Jays as friends, elected instead to sign with the injury-ravaged Atlanta Braves. "I probably dont want to comment on how close I felt we got or didnt get," the Blue Jays general manager said Wednesday. Anthopoulos deflected many questions on Santana, leaving the impression he was not happy with the way the process had gone. Asked if he felt used, he said "No, no. But (thats) probably the only thing Im going to say." Money and terms apparently werent factors in Santanas decision to sign with Atlanta. "He had a strong desire to pitch in the NL and there was no way to compete with that," said Anthopoulos, who is also Torontos senior vice-president of baseball operations. Was that always the case, he was asked? "Very good question," Anthopoulos replied, before suggesting it was better directed at the pitchers camp. However the Jays GM did say he was told "recently" of that strong NL interest. Such hints aside, Anthopoulos was clearly looking to take the high road, "Obviously its done. He made his decision. Hes in Atlanta. Great signing for them. I wish him the best. Sorry it didnt work out with us." Certainly the NL East, home to the .sub-500 Miami Marlins, New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies last season, might seem more hospitable than the thorny AL East. Especially when Santana is eligible for free agency again after this season. Santana has spent his entire career in the American League, with eight seasons as a Los Angeles Angel before being traded to the Royals in 2013. His career record is 105-90 with a 4.19 ERA. He became a free agent after turning down a US$14.1-million qualifying one-year offer from the Royals. Its the same deal he accepted from the Braves and likely in the same ballpark as the Jays offer. Minnesota reportedly tendered a three-year offer but at a lesser annual rate. Unlike last off-season, the Jays have been quiet in player acquisitions. So the Santana snub stands front and centre. Anthopoulos said everyone in the organization wanted Santana to become a Jay. "I think we all feel we did everything we could," he added. With Josh Johnson gone and question-marks over J.A. Happ and Ricky Romero, the Jays have been looking to bolster a starting rotation that features R.A. Dickey, Mark Buehrle and Brandon Morrow. Asked about the paucity of additions, Anthopoulos instead pointed to the healthy return of players like outfielder Melky Cabrera and pitcher Drew Hutchison. "We think Drews got a chance to be outstanding and hes put himself in a great position to make this club. I think if he does make this club, hes got a chance to have a tremendous year." Anthopoulos acknowledged the questions from fans and other observers. "All that being said, I can understand skepticism that comes with the job, the performance we had on the field last year. I think we will show how good we are when we break (spring training). I think the guys that we have tremendous upside but we would have loved to add someone just to have depth." "We werent going to force a deal and do things we really didnt believe in just to make a splash," he added. The GM said the Jays were "extremely close" to landing another starting pitcher in a trade only to see it not happen. He did not provide any other details. Bottom line, he says, the Jays like their talent but know it lacks seasoning in some quarters. So the search continues for that experience. NOTES -- Happ, whose spring training progress has been delayed by back problems, threw a side session Tuesday and "everything felt good," according to manager John Gibbons. Closer Casey Janssen, who has had soreness in his shoulder, was scheduled to throw a side session Wednesday. Dustin McGowan is also back after losing eight pounds to the same stomach bug that hit fellow pitcher Sergio Santos. Günstige Air Max 95 Schweiz . Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, Fiorentina levelled on aggregate in the 14th minute when Joaquin Sanchez Rodriguez headed back a long ball from David Pizarro and Pasqual smashed home an angled volley. Air Max 95 Outlet Schweiz .Hammel pitched inside more and it helped him get into the seventh inning as the Colorado Rockies beat the San Diego Padres 3-2 on Friday night. http://www.airmax95schweiz.ch/ .Y. - Carey Price had an early feeling that one goal might be enough to settle the latest matchup between his Montreal Canadiens and longtime Original Six foe, the New York Rangers. Air Max 95 Dames . Cain departed in the fourth inning of a 10-5 loss to the Pirates on Thursday. X-rays on Cains bruised forearm were negative. He was hit when Sanchez led off the fourth with a groundout. Air Max 95 Schweiz .J. -- The Houston Astros had the No.MELBOURNE, Australia - Rafael Nadal says hes working as hard as I can to be ready for Mondays start to the Australian Open following a right wrist injury and appendix surgery which sidelined him for most of the last six months of 2014.Nadal went through a strenuous workout at Melbourne Park on Wednesday, followed by a two-hour exhibition match against Mark Philippoussis and Fernando Verdasco as part of a charity night to open the renovated Margaret Court Arena, the Australian Opens third court with a retractable roof.On Thursday, Nadal said he recovered well from the tough day of workouts, but added it would be difficult to quickly reach the level of fitness to win the title this yearIm back, and Im healthy, but its hard to come back after such injures, Nadal said. I will hope for first round, second round, and take the wins as they come.Nadal was knocked out in the first round in a tournament at Doha two weeks ago by a qualifier, but then teamed with good friend, Juan Monaco of Argentina, to win the doubles final, giving him some valuable court time.ddddddddddddTo start the season with a title, even if its only in doubles, is a great feeling, the 14-time Grand Slam champion said in Doha. When you lose early in singles its a good way to still be in competition. A win is always a good feeling and to have that feeling again was very positive.Nadal had played only eight singles matches since Wimbledon before arriving in Doha.It was an important week because I came back to the tour after a long time not being competitive, Nadal said. I lost in the first round in a match that can happen.Im going to work hard to be ready for Australia but if that doesnt happen Im going to keep working hard to be ready for Rio, then Buenos Aires and Indian Wells and Miami.The third-seeded Nadal will find out on Friday who will be play in the first round when the tournament draw is held.___Freelancer Sandra Harwitt contributed to this story. ' ' '