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Left-hander Ted Lilly is expected to decide in the next few weeks whether to retire or try to pitch again following a recent neck operation to relieve pressure on his spine. Cheap NFL Jerseys . Agent Larry OBrien said Wednesday that Lilly had yet to make a final decision regarding his baseball future and would return from playing winter ball, then sit down and ponder whats next. "We have not confirmed anything yet about his retiring and we wont be able to for a couple of weeks," OBrien said while noting the speculation that Lillys career is over. "Hes going to come home and re-evaluate." The lefty, who turns 38 in January, was designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 25. He was limited to 13 starts the past two seasons for Los Angeles because of injury problems, going 0-2 with a 5.09 ERA in five 2013 starts. After seeing a spine specialist this fall in Los Angeles and undergoing surgery to cauterize the nerve endings in the right side of his neck, OBrien said his client experienced "some issues" while pitching at winter ball in Venezuela. "They were locking up every time he threw and the next day he couldnt move his neck," OBrien said. A two-time All-Star, Lilly -- full name Theodore Roosevelt Lilly -- is 130-113 with a 4.14 ERA in parts of 15 major league seasons with 331 starts and 356 total appearances. He pitched for Montreal, Oakland, Toronto, the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs and Dodgers. The San Francisco Giants considered signing Lilly to a minor league contract in early August but assistant general manager Bobby Evans said "upon reviewing Ted Lillys medical history" they would hold off on the acquisition. Lilly was a 23rd-round draft pick by the Dodgers in 1996. The Venezuelan El Universal newspaper reported that Lilly had made his decision to retire. Cheap Jerseys From China . Louis Cardinals had a major need at shortstop and signed a veteran free agent who, while having PED issues, has been a potent hitter throughout his career. Cheap Jerseys . - Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade had 23 points apiece, and the Miami Heat beat the Los Angeles Lakers 101-95 on Wednesday for their sixth straight win.ROME -- Roger Federers focus appeared to drift away from the Foro Italico. And that was understandable. After all, the 17-time Grand Slam winner was playing for the first time since the birth of his second set of twins last week. Federer let a lead to slip away and was beaten 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6) Wednesday in the second round of the Italian Open by 47th-ranked Jeremy Chardy of France. When Federers boys, Leo and Lenny, were born, the fourth-ranked Swiss player withdrew from last weeks Madrid Open. He only decided to come to Rome a few days ago. "This one is totally OK if it doesnt hurt," Federer said. "I tried everything. I cant do more than that on the court." Federer had a match point in the tiebreaker but Chardy saved it with an improbable cross-court forehand on the run when it looked like Federer was about to close the match out. "That passing shot is a tough one for me to take, because hes not going to make that very often," Federer said. "But it happens and credit to him to fight his way back into the match and get it." Later, top-ranked Rafael Nadal also faced stiff resistance from his French opponent before ultimately wearing down 30th-ranked Gilles Simon for a 7-6 (1), 6-7 (4), 6-2 win that lasted 3 hours, 18 minutes -- opening his bid for an eighth Rome title. Nadal hit 32 winners but just three with his backhand, which has become a point of concern recently. Also, Wimbledon champion Andy Murray eliminated Marcel Granollers of Spain 6-2, 7-5. Womens title-holder Serena Williams showed no problems -- and no taping -- from a left thigh injury that forced her to withdraw from Madrid. The top-ranked American beat 28th-ranked Andrea Petkovic 6-2, 6-2. "Im not 100 per cent but Im getting there," Williams said, adding that the conditions at the U.S. Open prepared her for the heavy wind gusts at the Foro Italico. "If I can play in New York, I can play anywhere." Maria Sharapova, the 2011 and 2012 Rome champion, had to rally in the second set to get by Puerto Rican qualifier Monica Puig 6-3, 7-5. After cruising through the first set, Federer began to commit unforced errors at an alaarming rate and Chardy quickly took advantage.Wholesale NFL Jerseys. "I wasnt able to stretch the lead when I had it," Federer said. Federer committed 43 unforced errors -- 20 in the second set alone -- to Chardys 28. Federer also struggled to dictate play with his first serve. "But at the end, it was shot here or there that decided the match," Federer said. Chardy hadnt beaten a top-10 player since defeating Juan Martin del Potro in the third round of last years Australian Open. Federer and wife Mirka also have twin girls, Myla Rose and Charlene Riva, who turn 5 in July. But even with all the family distractions, Federer didnt appear worried about his preparations for the French Open, which starts in 11 days. "Everything is under control," Federer said, recalling that he reached the final of the Monte Carlos Masters last month. "I still feel good, my body is good, my mind is good and its just unfortunate for one passing shot today I dont get another opportunity to play this week." Also advancing was 11th-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who edged Kevin Anderson of South Africa 7-6 (14), 7-6 (5); and 12th-seeded Grigor Dimitrov, who eliminated Ivo Karlovic of Croatia 7-6 (3), 6-4; and 15th-seeded Tommy Haas, who defeated Igor Sijsling of the Netherlands, 7-6 (6), 6-1. In womens play, third-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska beat Paula Ormaechea of Argentina 6-3, 6-2 and will next face 2010 French Open winner Francesca Schiavone, who rallied past Garbine Muguruza 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (5). Fourth-seeded Simona Halep rallied past American opponent Madison Keys 5-7, 6-0, 6-1 then withdrew from the tournament due to abdominal muscle injury. Tenth-seeded Sara Errani swept aside Ekaterina Makarova 6-2, 6-3; and 13th-seeded Carla Suarez Navarro beat 1999 champion Venus Williams 6-4, 6-2. Suarez Navarro then advanced to the quarterfinals upon Haleps withdrawal. Also, Varvara Lepchenko upset 16th-seeded Sloane Stephens 6-2, 6-2 in an all-American match; American qualifier Christina McHale rallied to beat Italian wild card Camila Giorgi 1-6, 6-3, 6-1; and Australian veteran Sam Stosur defeated Elena Vesnina of Russia 6-2, 6-3. wholesale jerseys cheap jerseys ' ' ' |
