Addington takes over crew chief role for Stewart

Autoracing Betting Lines

11/28/2011 - Kannapolis, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Steve Addington has replaced Darian Grubb as crew chief for reigning Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart effective immediately, Stewart-Haas Racing announced on Monday.

Addington has won 16 Sprint Cup races as crew chief, including two with driver Kurt Busch this season. He served in the role for Busch's team the past two seasons. Last week, Addington informed Penske Racing that he would not return with the team for the 2012 season.

Stewart and Addington worked together at Joe Gibbs Racing from 2005-08.

"I know Steve well, and I know how he goes about setting up a racecar," Stewart said in a team statement. "My comfort level with him is already strong. He balances the technical part of our sport with the real-world experiences we get at the track, and that will allow for a smooth transition, as we prepare to defend our title in 2012."

Before Addington joined Penske, he was the crew chief for the teams of Bobby Labonte (2005), J.J. Yeley (2006-07) and Busch's younger brother, Kyle, (2008 through race No.33 of the 2009 season). Twelve of his wins came with Kyle Busch at JGR.

"Tony and I are a lot alike, and we're able to push each other," Addington said. "I saw how he worked when we were at Gibbs together, and I'm not surprised at all at the success he's created at Stewart-Haas Racing. He expects a lot, and he knows a lot. His talent behind the wheel is obvious, but his ability to motivate and get everyone to believe that whatever goal they set is attainable is something every crew chief wants, and I plan to make the most of it."

The crew chief change comes eight days after Stewart clinched his third Sprint Cup championship as a driver and first as a team owner.

Stewart and Carl Edwards ended this season with 2,403 points each, but in a tiebreaker, Stewart captured the title by virtue of his five wins -- all of them coming in the 10-race Chase for the Sprint Cup -- compared to only one victory for Edwards.

Grubb, who became a first-time championship-winning crew chief, had been with Stewart's No.14 Chevrolet team since the inception of SHR in '09.

"Darian was a very important part of the success we've had at Stewart-Haas Racing," Stewart noted. "I'm very proud of everything he helped accomplish, especially this year when we all rallied to win the championship. He's a great person, and I know he'll continue to be successful in this sport."

Grubb was informed midway through the Chase that he would not be back with the team next year. He had worked for Hendrick Motorsports from 2001-08.

Stewart and Grubb will be honored for their championship season on Friday in Las Vegas.

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

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.''

Additional baseball lines and World Series odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

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Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

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