Talk » and right-handed.Venditte

LOUDON, N.H. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. made the decision to see a doctor, which he knew could affect whether he races again this year -- or ever.Earnhardt has suffered concussions in the past. He even missed two races in 2012 following two concussions in a six-race stretch, so the 41-year-old could be a little more aware of the dangers and symptoms of this type of injury.But even Earnhardt said as late as Tuesday that he thought the headaches and pressure he was experiencing were more likely caused by allergies or a sinus infection than a concussion. And so far, the official diagnosis is hes suffering from concussion-like symptoms, not a concussion. And he has admitted to having raced with concussion-like symptoms in the past.?Because of my symptoms and my history with concussions, and after my recent wrecks at Michigan [on June 12] and Daytona [on July 2], I reached out and met with a neurological specialist, Earnhardt said Thursday. After further evaluation, they felt it was best for me to sit out.?Although his team and NASCAR applauded Earnhardt for making the decision, the questions remain: Will other drivers follow his lead if they have concussion-like symptoms, and does NASCAR need to do more?Are there other drivers who have been hit hard but are driving around New Hampshire Motor Speedway this weekend, when they may be suffering from a concussion that should put them on the sideline with Earnhardt?NASCAR spokesman David Higdon said the data recorders from the Michigan and Daytona wrecks did not raise any immediate red flags as far as the G-forces in those accidents, where Earnhardt was able to drive away and therefore not seek medical attention.NASCAR does not have a threshold of G-forces at which a driver is required to see a neurologist. The question is, should the organization have such a rule? And should drivers who have had a history of concussions be scrutinized more after accidents?IndyCar has found its threshold for concussion is somewhere greater than 50 Gs -- and probably closer to 80 Gs. If a drivers ear accelerometer shows 50 Gs, IndyCar typically does follow-up examinations even if a driver doesnt show immediate symptoms of a concussion.NASCAR drivers dont wear ear accelerometers, and adding them to the drivers gear would require NASCAR approval because they count as an electronic recording device in the car. And NASCAR doesnt have traveling doctors like IndyCar, instead opting to have nurses travel with the circuit and rely on local physicians who meet certain criteria.That adds to the perception, whether warranted or not, that NASCAR could be doing more in situations such as Earnhardts.Drivers, often known for toughness in this macho sport, typically race hurt unless a doctor tells them they cant -- and even then, they would try unless someone else (NASCAR or the team or their family) forbids them from stepping into the car.Earnhardt told his team Tuesday that he might need a relief driver to help him get through the New Hampshire race because of the possible sinus infection, which he said he battled last weekend at Kentucky -- a week after the Daytona accident and a month after the Michigan wreck.NASCAR officials said they had no idea Earnhardt potentially had a concussion until the team informed them. Earnhardt did not inform NASCAR of the allergy symptoms he had last week at Kentucky.Hendrick Motorsports hasnt asked yet for any data from Earnhardts crashes. Team general manager Doug Duchardt said he didnt notice any difference in Earnhardt during their Tuesday competition meeting.It was Mexican [food] day, so he was in a good mood, Duchardt said. If you sat down and listened to him discuss the Kentucky race ... you would just think its no different -- [it was] the same thing every week, the way he is.While the policy is not specified in the NASCAR rulebook, Higdon said NASCAR drivers have an obligation to report any changes in medical history or diagnoses to the sanctioning body.The medical clause in the 2015 driver-NASCAR agreement obtained by ESPN.com, which drivers had to sign in order to race last year, states [I] certify that should there be any change in my health status, information or medications that I will inform the Medical Liaisons Office of such change(s) as soon as practically possible, but in no event longer than five business days of my discovery of such change(s). ?Now that Earnhardt has seen doctors and revealed a potential concussion diagnosis, NASCAR will require him to see a neurologist who has spent at least five years treating sports-related head injuries before he can be cleared to return. NASCAR requires drivers to undergo a type of neurological test called ImPACT once every two years, and that is typically used by neurosurgeons to determine whether a driver can compete.The Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing is not a pass/fail test. The 20-minute test measures a range of neurocognitive functions, including memory, reaction time, attention span and other cognitive skills. By undergoing a test that shows their baseline, the drivers can then go through the test again after a potential injury so doctors can observe any changes and determine if drivers have a concussion.Defending Sprint Cup champion Kyle Busch said concussions have not been a hot topic in drivers council meetings with NASCAR. He has not been through the concussion protocol to know the exact standards. ?Theres never been that clarity from NASCAR or from the doctors on what they think is allowed to get back in the race car and what isnt, Busch said. Thats still something Im still unknown of.?Earnhardts decision will have competitive ramifications. He is 34 points up on the current Chase cutoff, where Trevor Bayne is the first driver currently on the outside looking in. Bayne has averaged 23.8 points per race this year.?Missing more than one race could make it tough for Earnhardt to make the Chase on points, especially with his recent struggles on the track. Alex Bowman replaces him this weekend, and Jeff Gordon, if necessary, will come out of retirement next week and substitute for Earnhardt.?Its probably one of the toughest things to do. ... If I was in that position, it would be very tough for me, I would think, said Ryan Newman, who also is on the bubble to make the Chase for the Sprint Cup. But I dont have the past he has to know the right move.Cam Reddish Jersey . John Tavares, Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo were also being counted on to slow down sizzling Rangers forward Rick Nash. That plan didnt go so well early. Bruno Fernando Jersey . Paul Pierce couldnt believe he missed at the end. Young scored a season-high 26 points to spark a huge effort from the leagues most productive bench, and Los Angeles beat the Brooklyn Nets 99-94 on Wednesday night after blowing a 27-point lead. https://www.thehawkslockerroom.com/Josh-Smith-City-Edition-Jersey/ . All of the scoring came in the final 20:04. Lucic scored on a power play at 15:46 of the third period, when he tipped a shot over Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen for a 3-1 lead. Pete Maravich Hawks Jersey . Rob Manfred, baseballs chief operating officer, testified last week during the grievance filed by the players union to overturn Rodriguezs 211-game suspension. A person familiar with the hearing, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press on Saturday that Manfred testified the sport wasnt concerned whether Bosch distributed performance-enhancing drugs to minors because MLBs interest was his relationship with players under investigation. Allen Crabbe Jersey . John Lucas, signed as a mentor for rookie Trey Burke, showed he can score if required, scoring 12 points of his 16 points in the second quarter as Utah built an 18-point lead.CHICAGO -- In his first season in the big leagues, Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson has managed to avoid hitting the rookie wall.As for hitting baseballs, thats a different story.Ive been having fun with it, said Anderson, who has hit safely in 17 of his past 19 games to increase his average to .285. Ive been going out and playing hard. Im still figuring out what kind of hitter I am.Anderson will try to stay hot Sunday as the White Sox (62-66) wrap up a four-game series against the Seattle Mariners (68-61). Chicago has won two of the series first three games.Left-hander Carlos Rodon (4-8, 4.02 ERA) looks to continue a recent hot streak when he takes the mound for the White Sox. Rodon is 2-0 with a 1.46 ERA in his past four outings, all of which have been quality starts. In two career starts against Seattle, he is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 13 innings.Right-hander Taijuan Walker (4-8, 4.14) will start for the Mariners. The highly touted 24-year-old has endured an up-and-down campaign that has included a monthlong stint on the disabled list and a brief demotion to Triple-A Tacoma earlier this month.Walker allowed four runs (three earned) in 5 2/3 innings against the New York Yankees on Tuesday in his first start since rejoining the big-league team. In three career starts against the White Sox, he is 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA (six earned runs in 16 innings).Seattle manager Scott Servais would prefer a long start from Walker, who has pitched six innings only once in his past six outings. However, if Servais needs to lean on his bullpen, he has a few fresh arms.Rookie right-hander Dan Altavilla pitched a scoreless eeighth in his big-league debut Saturday night.dddddddddddd The Mariners selected Altavillas contract from Double-A Jackson, where he posted a 1.91 ERA with 16 saves. He relies upon a fastball and slider and hopes to emulate the success of right-hander Edwin Diaz, who also made the leap from Double-A to the majors.In addition, the Mariners promoted veteran relief pitcher Pat Venditte from Triple-A Tacoma. The 31-year-old offers Servais an unusual option -- a pitcher who can throw both left-handed and right-handed.Venditte posted a 5.19 ERA with seven strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings with the Toronto Blue Jays earlier this season. He went 2-2 with a 4.40 ERA in 26 appearances with the Oakland Athletics in 2015. During his career, he has faced 69 batters as a right-handed pitcher and 94 batters as a left-handed pitcher.He gives us a lot of options, Servais said. Ive actually known Pat for a long time. Hes from Omaha, he went to Creighton, and my uncle was the head coach there at Creighton. I saw Pat pitch way back in college when my uncle first told me about him. He was a walk-on, kind of came from nowhere. (He is a) self-made guy, a very good competitor who has made his way through the minor leagues.Coming out of our bullpen, he can face the tough lefties earlier in the game with what he has, and then he can also flip around and go right-handed. Left-handed, its not as much velocity, its more breaking ball. Right-handed, he throws a little bit harder. He does it with guile and know-how and competitiveness. ' ' '