Derek Jeter medically cleared for baseball activites

After nearly eight months of recovery, New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter has finally been cleared to resume full baseball activities. Jeter has been taking grounders and playing long toss at 180 feet for a few days, but on Thursday he was fully medically cleared.

Jeter was examined by Dr. Robert Anderson in Charlotte and is now permitted to run on his surgically repaired left ankle, and participate in all baseball activities.

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Dodgers still upset at Diamondbacks after brawl

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks got into a bean-ball war on Tuesday night, and that led to two benches-clearing standoffs, one of which turned into a brawl. Any hopes that cooler heads would prevail after a day have gone right out the window.

The Dodgers are still upset about the fight, as they feel Diamondbacks pitcher Ian Kennedy intentionally threw at the heads of rookie outfielder Yasiel Puig and pitcher Zack Greinke. The pitch to Puig glanced off his shoulder and grazed his nose, while Greinke had a ball deflect off his helmet and hit his left shoulder. After Greinke was hit, a brawl ensued that saw six players and coaches ejected.

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2013 NBA Draft: Nerlens Noel no longer a lock as top pick?

For months conventional wisdom has been that Kentucky center Nerlens Noel would be the top pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. Well, from everything we’re hearing the Cleveland Cavaliers – who own the No. 1 pick – are rapidly falling out of love with Noel.

The Cavs will have Noel in for a visit on June 20 and at that point he’ll have to convince the team that he’s on track to be healthy soon. Cleveland could draft him on potential alone, but he’s recovering from a terrible ACL tear in his left knee and no one really knows what he’ll be able to do when he gets back.

The 19-year-old seven-footer has near unlimited potential, particularly on the defensive end, but other players have reportedly impressed the Cavs enough that Noel’s hold on the top spot in the draft is tenuous at best.

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Video: Tim Hudson uses rosin bag on his head

It’s rare that I can watch a baseball game and see something that I have never seen before. But that’s just what happened Tuesday night.

During the bottom of the second inning of the San Diego Padres’ 3-2 win over the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta’s veteran hurler Tim Hudson used the rosin bag to mop off his sweaty, freshly-shaved head. For those of you thinking I’m alluding to something dirty, get your minds out of the gutter.

Hudson struck out Padres second baseman Logan Forsythe swinging, then removed his cap and dried his bald head using the rosin bag. I can legitimately say I’ve never seen anyone do that before.

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Manti Te’o: San Diego Chargers rookie finally talks to media

San Diego Chargers rookie linebacker Manti Te’o finally spoke to the media after mini-camp on Tuesday. The Notre Dame product had his first press conference and took questions from assembled reporters after not speaking publicly since rookie mini-camp on May 10.

Te’o has largely been kept off-limits since being drafted by the Chargers in the second round (38th overall pick) of the 2013 NFL Draft. San Diego’s new head coach Mike McCoy has kept Te’o quiet, fearing the rookie would be inundated with questions not related to football.

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Mark Grace released from Tent City jail after four months

Former Chicago Cub and Arizona Diamondback Mark Grace has been released from jail after serving four months for a second DUI arrest in a 15-month span. Grace was on work-release for all of his term, but he spent his nights in Maricopa County’s famous outdoor Tent City.

During the length of his time in jail, Grace was released from 5 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day, then spent the night with the rest of the inmates in Tent City. Tent City is Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s brainchild and Maricopa County jail is often referred to as America’s most notorious prison.

Grace was arrested on August 23, 2012 in Scottsdale, just 15 months after being arrested for another DUI. Police claim his car was not outfitted with an interlock device, which was a violation of his probation. He was also driving with a suspended license.

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Video: Byron Buxton makes incredible catch

When the Minnesota Twins made Byron Buxton the No. 2 pick in the 2012 MLB Draft, they knew they were getting a supremely athletic, toolsy high school outfielder who could play some incredible defense. Buxton also had the added value of being a guy who will likely stick in center field. So far, the kid has lived up to the hype.

On Monday night, Buxton made one of the better catches I’ve seen in a long time while playing center for the Low Class A Cedar Rapids Kernels. On the play, the 19-year-old races back to his right before making a ridiculous, flying dive to grab the ball deep in the left center field gap.

Enjoy the video after the jump.

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