Everton's Moyes baffled by Pienaar situation

Soccer Betting Lines

11/18/2008 - Merseyside, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Everton manager David Moyes is baffled as to why South Africa are upset by his refusal to allow Steven Pienaar to team up with the rest of the Bafana Bafana squad.

South Africa are scheduled to play Cameroon in a friendly this week but Pienaar will not feature in the game as he continues to be hampered by a knee injury.

The South African team manager, Sipho Nkumane, is quoted as being upset about the situation, but Moyes insists there is no reason for the matter to be blown up out of all proportion.

"Steven didn't start our game against Middlesbrough on Sunday because he wasn't fit enough to do so," he said. "We brought him on in the second half but it was clear that he wasn't comfortable and after the game it was a straightforward decision not to send him to join up with South Africa.

"We notified the South African FA immediately and we will monitor him this week. We couldn't have notified them any quicker and, if the coach had been at our match on Sunday, he'd have seen for himself that Steven was struggling."

(Courtesy of sportbox.tv)

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PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

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