The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/347495
MICHIGAN IN THE PROS point where we're using different people in that spot, and every once in a while, those guys are going to give up runs. And when it does, it's going to look like a blown save, but we're rotating around guys until somebody really emerges." Putnam will continue to get his shot, however. He retired four of the five batters he faced July 9 to pick up the win in the White Sox's 3-2 victory over the Angels. He stood 3-1 with one save, a 2.50 ERA and 29 strike- outs through July 13. ARIZONA RELEASES J.J. PUTZ J.J. Putz is a Diamondback no more. The veteran Arizona closer and for- mer Wolverine, a staple on the 2011 National League West title-winning squad, was released June 24 after struggling both with his command and injuries that have plagued him for the past few years. "I'm not surprised; I had a feel- ing something like this was going to happen," Putz told the Associated Press. "I just didn't know when. They had to make a decision and this was probably the best one to make. I have nothing bad to say about anybody here." Putz saved a career-high 45 games in 2011, his first season with the club, and another 32 games in 2012. He struggled with injuries each of the last two seasons and was moved from closer to setup man, going 1-1 with a 6.59 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 18 appearances for the last-place Dia- mondbacks this year. "It was a hard one," Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson said. "I have the utmost respect for J.J." Putz has 189 saves in 12 seasons, in- cluding 83 in four years with Arizona, and hopes to continue his career with another team. "I'm still feeling good, my arm still feels good, so I guess it's just a hold- ing pattern until we see what the fu- ture holds," Putz said. The NBA JAMAL CRAWFORD SEEKS CONTRACT EXTENSION NBA Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford may or may not play in Los Angeles with the Clippers next year, but he wants an extended contract wherever he is. The 6-5 guard has been the subject of sign-and-trade ru- mors that he is Cleveland-bound for either Cavaliers forward Luol Deng or center Spencer Hawes. "Our intention is to get an exten- sion with the Clippers or anywhere else that he may be traded based on the fact that he's undervalued for the production he's providing," agent Andy Miller told Yahoo Sports. Crawford averaged 18.6 points a game last season, third on the team behind Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, and he and his agent feel his value is higher than what he is being paid. He is set to earn $5.4 million for the 2014-15 season, which became fully guaranteed on June 30, and the Clippers have a team option for the 2015-16 season in which he can be bought out for $1 million. Crawford is reportedly eligible for