City's Balotelli faces six-week injury absence

Soccer Betting Lines

09/08/2010 - Manchester, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Manchester City announced on Wednesday that new signing Mario Balotelli will undergo knee surgery that could keep him out for up to six weeks.

Balotelli moved to City from Inter Milan in August, but after scoring in his debut against FC Timisoara, he suffered the injury in the same match.

"Striker Mario Balotelli is to undergo surgery on his injured knee that could rule him out for up to six weeks," read a statement on the club's official website.

"The Italian's injury is to the lateral meniscus, one of the two most crucial structures in the knee, and medical wisdom is to try and encourage the problem to heal without recourse to an operation."

"It was hoped that the symptoms would settle down, but once Balotelli began to step up his recovery program this week, it became clear that action would need to be taken."

The 20-year-old Balotelli has now flown to Milan for the operation, and he is likely to miss at least four league games, including a match with Chelsea, as well as the start of City's campaign in the Europa League.

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Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

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