Chicagos medical staff eventually placed a brace on Long

NEW YORK -- Brian McCann still wanted to catch, a lot. So with his options limited in the New York Yankees lineup, the seven-time All-Star gladly accepted a new opportunity in Houston.McCann waived his no-trade clause and was sent, along with $11 million, to the Astros on Thursday for a pair of young minor league pitchers.The Yankees acquired right-handers Albert Abreu and Jorge Guzman.It had to be the right fit, McCann said on a conference call. It wasnt going to be just anywhere.McCanns playing time diminished in the second half of the season as rookie Gary Sanchez emerged as a power hitter behind the plate. Sanchez hit 20 home runs in just 53 games.It was like nothing Id ever seen before. He was the best player in the game, McCann said.The 32-year-old McCann hit .242 with 20 homers and 58 RBI this year.We entered the offseason with the acquisition of a catcher as a primary focus, Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said in a statement.Brian McCann is a great fit for the Astros as he is not only a good defensive catcher, he is also a left-handed hitter with proven run-producing ability, he said. His experience and his ability to impact his teammates will be a significant benefit to our team.Jason Castro made the most starts at catcher for the Astros last year, batting .210 with 11 homers and 32 RBI.Evan Gattis, known more for his slugging than his catching, also saw time at the spot.Houston and the Yankees met in the AL wild-card game in 2015. They both went 84-78 this year and missed the playoffs.Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said the trade gives the team financial flexibility for potential free agents and trades.Houston stepped up and I think all parties got what we wanted, he told reporters.McCann made 86 starts at catcher last season, his fewest since he was a rookie with Atlanta in 2005. He figured next year in New York likely would mean catching once a week, plus some platoon time as a designated hitter.I wanted to catch every day, he said. I feel like I still have a lot of good years left.McCann also likes what he sees in the Astros, praising a lot of great young pieces.I wanted to be a part of it, he said.McCann hit 24 homers in 2006 and has hit at least 18 home runs in every season since then. He has 245 career homers with 888 RBI while batting .266.This was McCanns third season in New York after signing an $85 million, five-year deal as a free agent.McCann is due $17 million in each of the next two seasons, and the Yankees will pay $5.5 million both years.The Yankees had a $15 million option for 2019 with no buyout. The option became McCanns if he had at least 1,000 plate appearances combined in 2017 and 2018, had at least 90 starts at catcher in 2018 and didnt end up that season on the disabled list.The 21-year-old Abreu was a combined 3-8 with a 3.72 ERA for two teams in Class A. The 20-year-old Guzman was a combined 3-4 with a 4.05 ERA with two rookie-level teams. Air Max 97 Metallic Gold . Louis Blues. Shane Hnidy joins Brian Munz for the broadcast on TSN 1290 Radio at 7pm ct. Air Max 97 Ultra 17 . -- Bobby Ryan helped the U. http://www.airmax97outlet.it/scontate-air-max-97-cocoa-snake.html .Y. - Jerome Samson scored once in regulation and again in the shootout as the St. Air Max 97 Fiori .25 million option on reliever Jose Veras. Air Max 97 Elemental Rose . With Parker having a quiet game for once, Nicolas Batum and Boris Diaw provided the scoring as France won its first major basketball title by beating Lithuania 80-66 on Sunday. It was a victory that ended a decade of frustration for Parker and a talented French generation, which lost the final against Spain two years ago and took bronze in 2005. TAMPA, Fla. -- Chicago Bears Pro Bowl right guard Kyle Long was carted off the field with a right ankle injury in the second quarter of Sundays 36-10 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and didnt return.Long was injured on a second-and-goal play from the 7-yard line when quarterback Jay Cutler pitched the ball to fullback Paul Lasike, who ran up the middle for short 3-yard gain.Long did not get up after the play as trainers and doctors rushed onto the field. Chicagos medical staff eventually placed a brace on Longs right leg before they placed him on the cart. Several of Longs teammates attempted to encourage and console him before he went back to the locker room.After the game, coach John Fox said, All these ankle injuries have been at minimum high ankle sprains. But, you know, like I said, Im not a doctor and well get more information as we go.Its ttough, said Bears quarterback Jay Cutler.dddddddddddd. He has had a bunch of injuries to one side of his body and now the lower half takes a hit too. Not sure of the diagnosis - if there is a chance for him to come back hes a guy that can make it happen. If not, hes going to be a hard guy to replace.A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Long had played injured all year. He tore his left labrum in the preseason, and then he suffered a triceps strain that kept him out of the Bears Week 8 victory over Minnesota.One of Chicagos team leaders, Long signed a lucrative four-year contract extension prior to the beginning of the regular season.The Bears also lost starting right tackle Bobby Massie, who was ruled out with a concussion. ' ' '