The Texas Rangers went into 2008 spring training seeming set with their starting rotation.

But Brandon McCarthy will miss at least the first month of the
season because of a forearm strain.

Left-hander Kason Gabbard gave up 21 runs in 16 2-3 innings.

With McCarthy headed to the disabled list, Gabbard moved up from
fifth to fourth in the rotation behind Kevin Millwood, Vicente
Padilla and Jason Jennings.

Rookie Luis Mendoza probably gets the nod the first time a fifth
starter is needed in mid-April.

Millwood is the scheduled starter for Monday's opener at
Seattle. He threw five shutout innings in his only major league
spring training start.

The 33-year-old right-hander took it slow after he aggravated
his right hamstring early in camp, pitching mostly in simulated and
minor league games.

***

Liverpool co-owner George Gillett Junior says his partnership with Dallas businessman Tom Hicks has become "untenable."

Gillett also says his family received death threats from soccer
fans.

Gillett says the threats came after Hicks blocked a takeover bid
for the Premier League club by a Dubai consortium -- a move that's
damaged the pair's relationship.

Gillett, who also owns the NHL's Montreal Canadiens, is now
mulling a move for overall control of the record 18-time English
champions.

Hicks has consistently ruled out selling his share in the club.

The duo last March bought the Liverpool team for $431 million
dollars.

***

The Dallas Stars today signed 23-year-old right wing Raymond Sawada to a two-year entry level contract.

Sawada, who just completed his senior season at Cornell, has
been assigned to the AHL's Iowa Stars.

Sawada was taken by Dallas in the second round of the 2004 NHL
Entry Draft.

He had ten goals with 16 assists for 26 points in 36 games this
season at Cornell.

***

Jeff Gordon is the pole-sitter for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Martinsville Speedway Sunday.

He took the top spot on the tricky half-mile oval for his seventh pole at the track and the 65th of his career.

Denny Hamlin has the second best qualifying lap and will start
from the outside of the front row.

Rookie Aric Almirola and David Ragan will start from the second
row.

They are followed by Jamie McMurray, Kasey Kahne, Ken Schrader
and Kyle Busch.

Jimmie Johnson has won the last three races at Martinsville and
will start 10th.