Rosenhof: Story » me that he was sore, and as much as he hated

DENVER -- San Diego Padres right-hander Andrew Cashner was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of soreness in his pitching elbow. Manager Bud Black said before Saturday nights game against the Colorado Rockies that right-handed reliever Donn Roach would step into the rotation to fill Cashners spot on Sunday. "(Cashner) just informed me that he was sore, and as much as he hated to do it, it might be a time for him to take a step back to take two forward," Black said. "And I totally agreed that it was a prudent decision." The Padres also recalled right-handed pitcher Kevin Quackenbush from Triple-A El Paso to fill Cashners roster spot. Cashner last pitched on Tuesday at Cincinnati. He said he felt soreness in his elbow when he threw a side session on Thursday and spoke to Black about the issue on Friday after the team arrived in Denver for a three-game series. "Its one of the toughest decisions Ive had to make," Cashner said. "Ive been doing well. I think its just kind of my elbow has been a little sore and its gotten better and then it kind of took a step back after Cincinnati. "So, just from a recovery standpoint, I havent recovered as fast. I think its smarter right now to err on the side of caution. I think Ive just got some inflammation in there and hopefully I wont be on the DL longer than 15 days." The Padres return to San Diego on Sunday night and Cashner is scheduled to have an MRI and be examined by team doctors on Monday. Well aware of the recent rash of elbow ligament injuries in baseball, Cashner expressed some concern about the seriousness of his injury but remains optimistic that it nothing beyond some inflammation in the joint. "Its kind of crazy not to think about it because its definitely out there," Cashner said. "But I just think its kind of coincidence. Pitching in the big leagues has gotten tougher. Hitters are better. Guys are throwing harder. Its just a lot more stress youre putting on your arm, but Im not worried about my ligament at all. I dont think its that. But I go for an MRI on Monday and well know more then." Craig Hartsburg Jersey . During the furious first few hours of free agency Tuesday, the team agreed to terms with strong safety Donte Whitner, a Cleveland native who cant wait to play in his hometown. Stephen Johns Stars Jersey . A knee to the thigh might have stung him the most, but his sixth straight double-double made up for the brief burst of pain. http://www.thedallasstarshockey.com/jason-dickinson-hockey-jersey/ . He had even more fun Friday. Coming off a sensational rookie season, Spieth opened the new year by never coming close to bogey and making a 12-foot birdie putt on the last hole for a 7-under 66. Custom Dallas Stars Jerseys . - Chelseas 1-0 win at the Etihad, spoiling Manchester Citys perfect home record continues to be the talking point of the week. Tyler Seguin Jersey . The ongoing funk on penalty kill and an unusually quiet night on home ice for the power play divided the Leafs from the Bruins at the ACC in a rare Sunday night affair.WASHINGTON - Its impossible for the Chicago Blackhawks not to think about Clint Reif. In the visiting clubhouse at Nationals Park, theres a jersey hanging from a locker stall bearing the name of the assistant equipment manager who was found dead at his home Dec. 21.He passed away, but its not like were going to forget about him, Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane said. Hes still in our hearts and hes still, I guess you can say, in this locker-room. If we can do something little like credit a stall in his name or wear a CR on the back of our helmet and things like that, I think it goes a long way just for his remembrance.Remembering Reif is a big part of the 2015 Winter Classic, as the Washington Capitals will join the Blackhawks in wearing a decal bearing his initials on the backs of their helmets.That is a pretty cool gesture, Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews said. Weve heard over the last couple weeks the influence and the effect that Clints had, not only on the guys in this locker-room, but guys that hes worked with or gotten to know in the past with other teams.Former Blackhawks right-winger Troy Brouwer initiated the move, talking to Capitals equipment manager Brock Myles, who got in touch with his colleagues in Chicago. Brouwer was hoping to wear CR on his helmet regardless.Myles talked to Washington coach Barry Trotz, who called Joel Quenneville to get that organizations blessing. Quenneville appreciated the kind thought.We didnt want to take anything away from what Chicago was doing and representing, but we do, our trainers wanted to do it, so we reached out to Chicago and asked them, Trotz said. And they were gracious enough to do it.Emotions are still raw around the Blackhawks less than two weeks after Reifs death. The 34-year-old was in his ninth season with the team, and one player declined to even discuss the situation.Winger Bryan Bickell said he thought about Reif on Wednesday when members of the USA Warriors program took the ice with the Blackhawks. Reif was responsible for getting the wounded veterans new equipment when they skated with the Blackhawks at the Stadium Series last season at Soldier Field in Chicago.He was part of our family, Bickell said. Hes always going to be in our hearts and with his family. Were playing for him for this year annd probably for a long time.dddddddddddd Its definitely tough.Reifs death resonated beyond the Blackhawks in part because hockey players consider trainers and equipment managers almost like teammates. Theyre around all the time and do a lot of the dirty work behind the scenes to make hockey happen.A lot of people say that theyre an extended part of our team and they are part of our team, said Brouwer, who knew Reif and his family well from his time with Chicago. Everything that we do, we cant get done without them. A lot of things that dont get seen is when we get off the plane at 1, 2 in the morning we get to go into our beds. They got to go unpack our gear, which is something that goes overlooked a lot of the time. The guys in here love them for it, thank them for it.Myles is joined on the Caps equipment staff by Craig Woody Leydig and Dave Marin. Troy Parchman is the Blackhawks head equipment manager, and hes assisted by Jim Heintzelman and Jeff Uyeno.Those people are very important within locker-rooms.I dont think people realize that much how hard our trainers do work and what they do on a daily basis, Toews said. You come back to the rink and you expect things to be a certain way so that you can resume your routine and just focus on playing hockey. Theyre making sure you can do that. Theyre there with you every step of the way.Players remember Reif fondly. Toews called him sociable, happy and a connector of people, and Brouwer referred to him as outgoing, upbeat and smart.Clint was an awesome guy, Brouwer said. He always made us laugh, he always had fun with us. He loved what he did. Hes really going to be missed.The Capitals tribute means Reif could be enough of a part of the Winter Classic that viewers hear his story, about how he grew up in Illinois and worked as a stick boy for the International Hockey Leagues Fort Wayne Komets and as an equipment manager for the ECHLs Orlando Solar Bears and AHLs Chicago Wolves.One of the pictures that surfaced after Reifs death was from one of his two days with the Cup. Brouwer remembers the big party Reif and his young family had in the summer of 2010 and knows full well trainers deserve to celebrate like players.Theyre a large part of that accomplishment, Brouwer said.---Follow @SWhyno on Twitter ' ' '