FORT MYERS, Fla. - Grady Sizemores long journey back from a series of injuries that almost ended his promising career is complete: He will be the Boston Red Soxs starting centre fielder on opening day. The three-time All-Star is set to play for the World Series champions Monday at Baltimore. "Its very exciting," Sizemore said Friday. "Its been a long road for me and Im happy to keep moving forward and to be in this position for this team." Sizemore beat out highly regarded prospect Jackie Bradley Jr. for the starting job. The Red Sox said Friday that Bradley will begin the season at Triple-A Pawtucket. Sizemore has not played in the majors since September 2011 with Cleveland. He has undergone seven operations since 2009, including surgery on both knees, his back and elbow. The Red Sox lost star centre fielder Jacoby Ellsbury to the Yankees in free agency during the off-season. Boston signed the 31-year-old Sizemore in January, hoping he could still make an impact. Sizemore hit .333 in spring training, going 13 for 39 with a home run, two doubles, three walks, and four strikeouts. He held up well in the outfield, playing 82 innings. "This is one of those situations where the game was taken away from a player and now that its back in his reach, that appreciation is only going to grow," Farrell said. "Theres a greater appreciation that I think any player goes through when theyre able to attain that level again. "He hasnt had any push back with the repetition and the volume in spring training, saying his body cant take it," Farrell added. "We have had a cautious level of optimism with each passing day." Entering spring training, the Red Sox were not sure what to expect from Sizemore. But hes passed every marker. Whats left is to see how he holds up during the rigours of a full season. "As far as the durability question, we answered it as best we could given the number of spring training games," Farrell said. "He will still be on a progression in the month of April where theres a prescribed number of games played and theres a progression to that. Its premature to give you an exact number of games per week. But were working toward an everyday status." Sizemore was a third-round pick of the Montreal Expos in 2000 before being acquired in a six-player deal by Cleveland in 2002 when Farrell was the Indians director of player development. Before his injuries, Sizemore was one of baseballs most dynamic players. A left-handed batter, he hit 20 or more home runs with 20 or more stolen bases in each of his first four full seasons, from 2005-08, the most 20-20 seasons in Indians history. The only other players ever to record three 20-20 seasons within their first four big league seasons are Darryl Strawberry (1984-86) and Bobby Bonds (1969-71). Despite his time away from the game, Sizemore never gave up on his baseball career, though. "I didnt think it was over," he said. "I just didnt know if Id ever get back to feeling healthy. It wasnt really a matter of playing baseball. It was the little things like being able to run. It was one of those things where youre just trying to find answers." The last few years have not been easy on Sizemore. After appearing in a total of 639 games from 2005-08, he has played in just 210 since. But, on Monday, expect that to change. "Its nice to have some positive news," Sizemore said. "In the last couple of years everythings been so negative. Its almost hard to realize whats going on. Hard to sink in." wholesale jerseys from china .Y. -- C.J. Spiller is the first to admit his transition from star college running back to NFL rookie was much more difficult than he had imagined. cheap jerseys from china . Halpern had four goals and 12 assists for the Washington Capitals last season. The veteran forward, 36, has played 12 NHL seasons for Dallas, Tampa Bay, Los Angeles, Montreal, and has twice suited up for the Capitals. http://www.chinawholesalejerseysnf... . The Nashville Predators forward was suspended two games Tuesday following a collision with Buffalos Ryan Miller on Saturday night. [url=http://www.chinawholesalejerseysnfl.com/]cheap nfl jerseys china . "Its questionable how fair it is to the others (teams) and the whole league system," Fasel said by telephone from Tokyo, where the governing body has its congress next week. "The integrity of the game is, for us, something very important. Its not just business," the world hockey leader said. "We play the game for the hockey fans, but sport should always be No. 1. cheap nfl jerseys .Y. -- C.J. Spiller is the first to admit his transition from star college running back to NFL rookie was much more difficult than he had imagined.MIAMI -- The Miami Dolphins walked off the field victorious and still in playoff contention. By the time they reached the locker room, they had been eliminated. Reggie Bush caught two touchdown passes and scored on a short run Sunday to help beat the hapless Bills 24-10. But a few minutes later, the Dolphins (7-8) were out of the post-season chase because of Cincinnatis 13-10 win at Pittsburgh. Miami began the weekend with only a slim chance at the playoffs and will sit them out for the 10th time in 11 years. "The NFL has a system in place -- six teams earn a spot in the playoffs," first-year coach Joe Philbin said. "It is what it is." Philbin didnt make the playoff race a point of emphasis in December, and quarterback Ryan Tannehill said he was unaware the Dolphins had been eliminated until he emerged from the locker room. "We just have to move forward and learn from past experiences," Tannehill said. "Its definitely a setback," linebacker Karlos Dansby said. "Were definitely disappointed. But we had plenty of opportunities." The Bills (5-10) came into the game assured of missing the playoffs for the 13th consecutive season. Coach Chan Gaileys team reached a double-digit loss total for the third year in a row, but he said hes not worried about his job security. "No, I worry about getting better ... playing to our abilities, which we havent done," he said. "And thats my responsibility to get that done." While Bush led an efficient offence, safety Reshad Jones recovered two fumbles and made an interception at the Miami 1 with 71 seconds left to seal the victory. The Dolphins forced four turnovers playing with a patchwork secondary that included starting cornerback Dimitri Patterson, acquired Tuesday after being waived by Cleveland. Bushs first TD catches of the year covered 17 and 12 yards from Tannehill, helping Miami build a 24-3 lead. Bush also ran for 65 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown. "Reggie is a versatile player," Tannehill said. "When you have a guy like that, hes a real weapon." The Dolphins took advantage of Buffalos woeful run defence by netting 182 yards on the ground while averaging 5.2 per carry. Backup Lamar Miller had 73 aand Tannehill added 44, including 31 on a dash that set up a touchdown.dddddddddddd Miami went 7 for 14 on third down and didnt commit a turnover. Tannehill threw for only 130 yards but had a passer rating of 93.8, and he avoided an interception for the fourth consecutive game. The Dolphins had three fumble recoveries, doubling their season total, but their most spectacular takeaway was Jones interception. With the Bills at the Miami 1 and 80 seconds left, Jones leaped at the line of scrimmage to snare Ryan Fitzpatricks pass and clinch the win. "I just told the guys, Somebody has to make a play," Jones said. The Dolphins flurry of takeaways came after they had one in their previous seven games. "They come in bunches," Dansby said. "We stuck with it." Nate Kaeding, signed during the week by Miami, made a 45-yard field goal but had a 46-yard try blocked by Alex Carrington. Buffalos C.J. Spiller ran for 138 yards, but missed chances hurt the Bills. Stevie Johnson lost a fumble at the Miami 17 and dropped a pass in the end zone, when Buffalo settled for a field goal. That came after Spillers career-best 62-yard run. Along with the turnovers and missed chances, 11 penalties hurt the Bills. "Especially the first half there, I think thats as poor as weve played offensively since Ive been here," Fitzpatrick said. The Bills missed a chance at a sweep of the season series with Miami. "We came into this game playing for pride," Spiller said. "We were just trying to get the respect that we know we dont have right now." NOTES: Miami CB Sean Smith hurt his left knee in the second half. ... For the Bills, TE Scott Chandler left the game in the first quarter with a left knee injury. FB Dorin Dickerson was carted off the field late in the fourth quarter with a right ankle injury. ... SS DaNorris Searcy hurt his groin in the second quarter. CB Stephon Gilmore left with a head injury in the third quarter. ... Carringtons four blocked kicks on the season (3 FGs, 1 PAT) are the most ever by a Bills player since the statistic was first tracked in 1988. ... TE Michael Egnew, Miamis third-round draft pick, was active for the first time and played seven snaps. ' ' '