Sports Roundup: Verlander to try throwing today

Tigers  
The Tigers were off Monday and play in Tampa Bay tonight in the first of a three game series. The Royals beat the Twins to go up 2 games on Detroit in the Central Division.  The Tigers are tied with Seattle for the final Wild Card spot. Max Scherzer goes for his 15^th win against the Rays.  Broadcast time is 6:40 on WBCK.

Verlander to Throw

Today is the day that Justin Verlander is supposed to pick up a baseball for the first time since leaving after one inning last Monday against the Pirates.  On Sunday, Verlander missed his first start as a pro, due to shoulder inflammation. If Verlander throws without pain today, he could make his next start this coming weekend in Minnesota.  If not, he could go on the disabled list for the first time in his career.

Wolverines Dismiss Receiver

Michigan head football coach Brady Hoke has dismissed sophomore receiver Csont'e York from the team. York had been suspended since an incident outside a bar in Ann Arbor last month. Video surveillance shows a man police identify as York punching one man and pushing another.  In a statement released yesterday evening, Hoke said representing the University of Michigan is a privilege and while second chances are deserved, sometimes it's better if they happen somewhere else.  York is facing three assault charges in the case and is due in court September 8th.

Johnny Football Flips off Skins' Bench

Cleveland Quarterback Johnny Manziel had a rough night in a 24-23 loss to the Redskins, and "Johnny Football" was also caught on camera issuing the middle finger to the Washington sideline.

Piston Signings

Detroit Pistons president of basketball operations and head coach Stan Van Gundy has announced the team has signed center Aaron Gray and forward Cartier Martin to contracts.  Gray averages 3.4 points and 3.7 rebounds per game and has spent time with Chicago, New Orleans, Toronto and Sacramento.  Martin has career averages of 5.4 points and 1.6 rebounds in games with Atlanta, Chicago, Washington, Golden State and Charlotte.

Lions
The Lions will face the Jaguars on Friday night.  Calvin Johnson should make his first appearance of the pre-season.    After Jacksonville, the Lions play the Bills in a preseason game before opening the regular season against the New York Giants September 8th.

Coyotes in Playoffs Saturday
The Battle Creek Coyotes host the Wayne County Bengals this Saturday in the playoffs. The game will be at Harper Creek High School at 6:30 PM. The 7-3 Coyotes are the #3 seed in the Crossroad Football League North Conference.  The #6 seed Bengals have a 6-4 record.  The beneficiary for the game will be Virginia Hinman, a local woman battling cancer.   The Coyotes are offering a very special 50/50 prize for the game to help raise money for Virginia: A pair of tickets to the August 28 New York Yankees/Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. This will be Kalamazoo native and future first-ballot Hall of Famer, Derek Jeter's final game in his home state.