Crosby feels good, but won’t rush return

PITTSBURGH (AP)—Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby says he’s been free of concussion-like symptoms since being cleared for contact earlier this week but remains in no rush to suit up for a game for the first time in more than three months.

“I only want to go through this one more time,” Crosby said Friday.

The 24-year-old captain hasn’t played since the symptoms resurfaced following a loss to Boston on Dec. 5. Doctors allowed him to return to full practice on Tuesday and while Crosby is pleased with the way his body is responding he refuses to put on his return. The Penguins host Florida on Friday night and face the Bruins on Sunday.

Jasper's thoughts:  "I think that Crosby should stay out however long he wants, and feels like it.  After something like that, you don't want to rush back."

Catcher Preview

At the catching position, there are three players who are fighting for a starting position.  The three players are: Kelly Shopach, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Ryan Lavarnway.  Lavarnway's scouting report says that he has a "high baseball IQ, with a slightly above average contact swing."  The Yale graduate's report also says that he has "Rough overall catching skills, with limited range behind the dish."  For Jarrod Saltalamacchia, "Salty" is a .244 career hitter with 39 home runs (16 of which came last year).  in five seasons as a big leaguer (two with the Sox).  Behind the plate, Salty is a wreck.  With just a .987 fielding percentage, Saltalamacchia harley ever throws out a runner stealing.  He has hot and cold points throughout the season, which is never a good thing.  as far as Kelly Shopach goes, I am not a fan.  While he is a good defensive catcher, he hit just .176 last year with 11 homers and just 22 RBI's.

CHECK OUT

• Jasper's thoughts on Jet Blue Park
• Jasper's interviews from spring training trip

SS preview

Red Sox fans are expecting big things from many players. Despite the
moves that they made in the off-season, there are still wholes; at shortstop,
Jose Iglesias is just about ready to come up to the major leagues, and
unless Bobby Valentine wants Nick Punto to be his every-day shortstop, he
is forced to bring up Iglesias a little bit early. Iglesias’s scouting report says
that he has “elite defensive skills” but is a “below average swing.” While as
Nick Punto (the Red Sox’s other shortstop option) is a .249 career hitter, but
has an overall fielding percentage at shortstop is just .974.

COMING SOON!!!

• Jasper's thoughts on Jet Blue Park
• Jasper's interviews from spring training