It's official: Kyle Busch to JGR

Autoracing Betting Lines

08/14/2007 - Huntersville, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - One of the worst kept secrets was made official when Joe Gibbs Racing announced on Tuesday that it had signed 22- year-old Kyle Busch to a contract. The younger brother of 2004 Nextel Cup champion Kurt Busch will get behind the wheel of the No.18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet beginning in 2008.

"It just felt right...they have a great track record," said Busch.

"Kyle could have gone to almost any team he wanted to," said Team President J.D. Gibbs.

Kyle Busch will join two-time Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart and budding superstar Denny Hamlin to make up a formidable team. Busch replaces J.J. Yeley. Yeley was 21st in points after finished 29th in the standings last year.

Busch has driven the last three and-a-half years for powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports, but was the odd-man out when Dale Earnhardt Jr. agreed to drive for the team earlier this season. He is currently eighth in the standings and preparing for the "Chase for the Nextel Cup" which begins in just a few weeks.

In 100 career Nextel Cup starts, Kyle Busch has earned four wins, 43 top-10s and two poles.

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

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