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PEORIA, Ariz. -- Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon said Saturday it would be "hard pressed" for either Hisashi Iwakuma or Taijuan Walker to be in the Mariners rotation on opening day because of their injury setbacks during spring training. McClendon said the injuries to Iwakuma (finger) and Walker (shoulder) will open up chances for others in camp, but also leave a rotation that had questions entering spring training even more uncertain. "I always plan for the worst and our contingency plan has been that," McClendon said. "So like I said before this gives other guys opportunities to go out and see what they can do. Well see what happens." Iwakuma will have his right middle finger in a splint for another three weeks before throwing, while Walker is being shut down for a week because of inflammation in his right shoulder. By the time the duo make up for missed time on the mound it will be early- to mid-April before either is expected in a game. While Seattle is understandably cautious with the sore shoulder of the 21-year-old Walker because of his age, the finger injury has become frustrating for Iwakuma. When he went to see Dr. Don Sheridan on Friday, Iwakuma had the expectation that he could start throwing on Saturday. Instead, he was told to avoid throwing for three more weeks. The earliest Iwakuma is expected to pick up a ball is March 21. By the time he gets caught up on bullpen sessions and simulated games to get the needed innings to be ready for the season, itll likely be mid-April before he could join the Mariners rotation. "I was honestly disappointed and frustrated too at the same time, but you have to respect what the doctor says," Iwakuma said through an interpreter Saturday morning. "I was ready to play catch today so it is what it is and I have to wait three more weeks." Iwakuma went 14-6 with a 2.66 ERA in 33 starts last season and was a finalist for the AL Cy Young Award. Iwakuma reported for spring training wearing the splint and said his finger got caught as he tried to retrieve a ball in some netting while working out in Southern California on Jan. 20. McClendon also confirmed -- not surprisingly -- that Felix Hernandez is expected to be Seattles opening day starter when the Mariners open the season on March 31 against the Angels. "Unless youve got somebody else," McClendon joked. "Ill try and see if he can go opening day, the second day and the third day." Deadrin Senat Jersey . After two months of mediocrity, perhaps the Washington Nationals have turned the page. Strasburg struck out 11 in seven innings Wednesday night and the Nationals kept the Philadelphia Phillies bats quiet yet again in an 8-4, rain-interrupted win. Deion Jones Jersey . Aaron Hill and Cliff Pennington hit home runs in the first inning for the Diamondbacks, who beat the Miami Marlins 3-2 on Friday night. http://www.cheapfalconsjerseysauthentic....h-harris-jersey. - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to meet with Richie Incognito to determine if one of the central figures in the Miami Dolphins bullying scandal can help their struggling offensive line. Isaiah Oliver Jersey . Those who impressed in each of the three events were asked to attend the main CFL Combine which begins Friday in Toronto. Adrian Clayborn Jersey . Sami Salo scored two goals as the Canucks overcame a hat-trick from Edmonton Oiler rookie sensation Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to win 4-3 in NHL action Saturday.Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Villanova erased a five-point deficit over the final 17 seconds of regulation, and the seventh-ranked Wildcats eventually prevailed, 82-77, in overtime over Syracuse at Wells Fargo Center. In the closing moments, Josh Hart hit a 3-pointer to bring Villanova (11-0) within 69-67, and after stealing the ensuing inbounds pass, Jayvaughn Pinkstons layup tied the game with four seconds left. Pinkston led all scorers with 25 points and 10 rebounds and Darrun Hilliard added 23 points. Harts 21-point game was a career high. Once leading by as many as 15 points, the Orange (6-4) failed to put the hosts away. Rakeem Christmas and Michael Gbinije each paced Syracuse with 18 points before both fouling out in overtime. Kaleb Joseph chipped in 10 points with 10 assists for Syracuse. The Orange led by as much as 14 in the second half before a 10-0 Wildcats run brought them within four. Hilliard scored the first eight points to kick-start the spurt. Villanova never did quite take the lead in regulation though. Pinkstons three-point play cut its deficit to 63-62 with 1:14 left, but Christmas responded on the other end with a three-point play of his own. With 17 seconds left, Trevor Cooneys pair of free throws put the Orange up five and appeared to put the game away, but thats when Villanovas comeback began with Harts 3-pointer. The Orange were unable to successfully inbound the ball on the ensuing possession, and Villanova took advantage of the scramble. After Pinkston stole the ball in the corner, he cut to the basket and hit the tying layup with a pass from Ryan Arcidiacono and just four secoonds on the clock.dddddddddddd A wild 3-pointer from Gbinije was off the mark, and the game headed to overtime. Villanova took its first lead of the game a minute into the extra period on a pair of Hilliard free throws, and the Wildcats never trailed. Pinkstons layup in traffic with 1:23 left was their only field goal of overtime, but they went 11-of-12 from the charity stripe to secure the win. The Wildcats made 26-of-32 free throws in the game, and the Orange managed just 13 on 18 attempts. Villanovas typically stingy defense was no problem for Syracuse in the first half. The Orange shot 63 percent from the floor including 4-of-6 from long distance. Whenever the Wildcats inched closer, Syracuse responded with a run. After Villanova pulled within three halfway through the period, the Orange rattled off 10 straight points including a pair of 3s from Gbinije and Cooney. With two minutes to go before the break, a triple from Cooney and jumper from Tyler Roberson gave Syracuse its largest lead of the half at 15. Hilliards jumper at the buzzer cut that lead to 43-31 at the half. Game Notes Villanova avoided suffering its first defeat of the season to Syracuse for the second straight year ... Syracuse still leads the all-time series 38-34 ... The Wildcats improved to 2-0 in g