Sports News Live

European champion Spain remained No. 1 in FIFA's rankings Wednesday, followed by Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. The United States dropped to No. 24, tops in its regional group. England advanced to No. 10 among the world's soccer elite, moving up four places. Coach Fabio Capello's team fell from the top 10 in July after failing to qualify for the European Championship.

Rays 3B Evan Longoria replaced injured Chipper Jones on the United States roster for the semifinal round of the World Baseball Classic.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona said 2B Dustin Pedroia, who had to leave the World Baseball Classic because of a strained abdominal, is scheduled to play Friday against the Pirates. "Pedey will probably get two at-bats," Francona said. "He'll take (batting practice) Saturday and then maybe get three at-bats on Sunday. He's doing fine."

Kevin Youkilis enjoyed the World Baseball Classic, even though injuries to his foot and ankle knocked him out of the tournament. "It definitely was an awesome experience," the Boston first baseman said Thursday. Youkilis left Team USA on Wednesday during the second round of the WBC because of a mild left ankle sprain and mild Achilles' tendinitis in his left foot. The slugger was back at Red Sox camp Thursday, wearing a hard plastic boot on his ailing foot. Youkilis said his foot, the same one in which he had plantar fasciitis in 2006, had been bothering him since the start of spring training. "I've had tightness in (it) a lot," he said. "It's not an injury injury where you have to get surgery or something like that. It's just some days are better than others."

Pitching nine scoreless innings over his last two starts, Astros SP Mike Hampton is off to a good start this spring after battling to stay healthy the past four years. Manager Cecil Cooper knows that Hampton's performance is a key to his team's success, saying it is "very, very important" for Hampton to stay healthy. "More than any single thing that could help us win this year, it would be that," slugger Lance Berkman said. "If he returns to form, we're going to be a dang good team." Hampton is confident his problems are behind him. "I hope I can recapture some of what I had here," he said. "I feel it hasn't left, I just haven't had a chance to show it very much."

Indians SP Fausto Carmona was hit on the right arm by a line drive while pitching in a minor-league intrasquad game Thursday. An Indians spokesman said Thursday X-rays were negative and that Carmona is "day to day with a right forearm contusion." This spring, Carmona has a 2.45 ERA in four Cactus League games, including three starts. He has walked five and fanned four.

Blue Jays SP David Purcey did a nice job of damage control Thursday against the Yankees. He allowed three runs, two earned, on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings, issuing one walk and recording three strikeouts. He now has a 1.59 ERA in 11 1/3 innings this spring.

Blue Jays SS Brad Emaus, one of the organization's top prospects, went 1-for-2 with his third home run of the spring and second in two days Thursday against the Yankees. He also scored two runs. He's now batting .344 this spring.

Yankees OF Nick Swisher is day to day after fouling a ball off his left calf Thursday against the Blue Jays. He went 2-for-2 with a double and an RBI in the game. He will not play on Friday. "It's just a little stiff," Swisher said. "It will go away. I'll be fine."

On Thursday against the Blue Jays, Yankees catcher Jorge Posada played defense for the third time since right shoulder surgery last July 30. At the plate, he went 1-for-3 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI. He is scheduled to complete his first back-to-back games behind the plate when he catches Andy Pettitte in a minor-league game Friday. "I'm really excited about how I feel," Posada said.

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, coming back from right shoulder surgery last October, needed just five pitches to work a perfect sixth inning Thursday against the Blue Jays. The right-hander, scheduled to pitch again Saturday, threw an additional 10 pitches in the bullpen. "The whole process is good, but you want to throw more. That's why I went to the bullpen," Rivera said. "I'm happy I feel good." Rivera has retired all six batters he's faced this spring.

Blue Jays SP Casey Janssen, competing for a rotation spot after missing last season due to right shoulder surgery, left with one out in the first inning because of tightness in the shoulder. The Blue Jays said the problem was due to muscle fatigue and Janssen will be re-examined by team doctors Friday. "Just a little tight," Janssen said. "Affected the full extension on my pitches. Maybe the first hiccup. I don't think it's bad." Janssen said the tightness is not in the same area of his surgery, which took place a year ago. "It's just a bummer I didn't get through this outing," he said. "It made sense to get me out of there. You've got to be smart with shoulders."

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic is 'not on the market', according to the player's agent.

Yankees SP A.J. Burnett's pitching performance quickly became a secondary concern Thursday against the Blue Jays. The right-hander, hit on the upper part of his left arm by John McDonald's second-inning line drive, remained in the game and wound up allowing one run and three hits over 3 1/3 innings. "Fortunately, it hit his left triceps," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "He said he was fine. I'm glad it wasn't his right triceps." Burnett walked three and struck out one during a 61-pitch outing against his former team. He was coming off a pair of strong starts in which he gave up one hit in six shutout innings. "I needed that one," he said. "I needed one where I needed to work."

Yankees RP Damaso Marte (left shoulder inflammation) threw off a bullpen mound Thursday and could pitch in a game Sunday.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Thursday that the center field competition between Brett Gardner and Melky Cabrera is close and that the team might keep both on the opening-day roster. Gardner is hitting .382 (13-for-34) with three home runs and three stolen bases. Cabrera is hitting .250 (9-for-36) with zero home runs and one stolen base.

Overrated? Fans just love to rip Duke. After defeating Binghamton 86-62, the Devils face a real test, Gary Parrish says. Will they continue their early exits or return to the Sweet 16? They're good enough, but let's wait and see.

Reds OF Jay Bruce, struggling to the tune of a .235 (8-for-34) batting average this spring, went 2-for-4 with a double and two strikeouts Thursday against the Red Sox. The double was only his third extra-base hit.