Archiv » likely has lost closer Grant Balfour in free agency

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Oakland Athletics acquired left-hander Fernando Abad from Washington on Monday and sent Class A outfielder John Wooten to the Nationals. Abad could help bolster a talented bullpen that has likely has lost closer Grant Balfour in free agency, with the ninth-inning spot expected to be filled from within by Sean Doolittle or Ryan Cook. The 27-year-old Abad, who was designated for assignment last Wednesday, went 0-3 with a 3.35 ERA in 39 appearances for the Nationals last season. He spent 2010-12 with the Houston Astros and has a career record of 1-14 with a 4.56 ERA in 127 outings. Wooten batted .257 with 20 home runs and 69 RBIs for Class A Beloit this year. He was a 37th-round selection by Oakland in the 2012 amateur draft out of East Carolina. Jean-Gabriel Pageau Jersey . Joel Embiid was nearly unstoppable in the paint in the second half, and Naadir Tharpe seemingly couldnt miss. Dylan DeMelo Senators Jersey . Balotelli was out at dinner with his brother Enoch and came home to discover he had been burgled. The car was later found abandoned. Balotelli wrote Saturday on Twitter: "I feel empty! No emotions . http://www.senatorssale.com/authentic-chris-tierney-senators-jersey/ . -- League scoring leader Anthony Mantha had two goals and two assists to lead the Val-dOr Foreurs over the Blainville-Boisbriand Phoenix 6-3 on Wednesay in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League play on Wednesday. Chris Tierney Jersey . -- Jonathan Vilmas season is over and his future on the football field is in doubt. Mark Borowiecki Senators Jersey . -- The Chiefs have signed seven players to reserve/future contracts, including running back Joe McKnight, a former fourth-round pick of the New York Jets.Washington Nationals starting catcher Wilson Ramos left Mondays 10-inning 9-7 win early with a hand injury. According to Nats manager Matt Williams, x-rays taken at Citi Field came back negative, but Ramos will see a specialist on Tuesday to determine the severity of the injjury.dddddddddddd The injury occurred when he took a foul ball off his hand. He tried to stay in the game but had trouble swinging the bat. "You dont want to see that anytime, especially on Opening Day," said Williams. Ramos finished the game 0-for-3. ' ' '