The World Baseball Classic has claimed another member of the Boston Red Sox and not in a good way.

First baseman Kevin Youkilis left Team USA today in Miami to return back to Ft.  Myers to be examined and undergo an MRI  by Red Sox medical staff. Apparently Youkilis sprained the ankle 3 or 4 days ago according to a report by Amy K.  Nelson of ESPN.com.

Johnson said the injury happened three or four days ago, and that Johnson noticed Youkilis was in pain during Team USA’s 6-5 comeback win over Puerto Rico.

“He wasn’t going to miss last night’s game for the world,” Johnson said. “We’ve been devastated by some key injuries.”

I know Youk is a gamer and playing for his country but after signing the long-term deal with the Red Sox, that should have been his first priority. He should have spoken up sooner.

Let’s hope that it’s just a minor ankle sprain and Youk doesn’t miss too much time.

UPDATE: The Boston Red Sox issued the following statement regarding first baseman Kevin Youkilis:

“Kevin Youkilis returned to Fort Myers, FL this afternoon to be examined by the Red Sox medical staff. He was diagnosed with a mild left ankle sprain as well as mild Achilles tendinitis in his left foot. Both MRI results were negative. To limit movement and allow his ankle to heal, Youkilis will wear a walking boot for the next several days but is not expected to miss significant time.

Youkilis originally experienced some pain in his left ankle several days ago and it worsened in last night’s game vs. Team Puerto Rico. He will no longer participate in the World Baseball Classic and will return to Red Sox camp tomorrow.”

UConn Huskies women’s basketball player Maya Moore and men’s basketball player Hasheem Thabeet are two of the five players on the Sports Illustrated regional cover for this week’s issue.

With about 27 hours to go, are you getting your NCAA Men’s Tournament brackets done? Will you take our UConn Huskies to go all the way to Detroit? If you’re not sure and need some help with your picks, why not try Bracket Brains?

Spring football practice got underway yesterday and the Huskies gave everyone a look at the new offense being installed. From all accounts, the Huskies looked pretty good at it but of course this is just day 1 of practices.

The UConn men will have an open practice today in Philadelphia and will also have to meet the media as they prepare for tomorrow’s opening game against Chattanooga. I wonder if Terrell Owens will be there.

UConn football links

Five UConn Tailbacks Look To Replace Brown [Hartford Courant]

Petrus, Huskies learning new roles [Norwich Bulletin]

Huskies picking it up from Day 1 [New Haven Register]

UConn men’s basketball links

UConn Huskies 2008-09 Highlights [UConn Huskies Basketball]

UConn Needs More From Seniors Adrien, Austrie [Hartford Courant]

Hoping For Two A’s [Hartford Courant]

UConn graduation rate lowest of four men’s top seeds [Waterbury Republican-American]

UConn’s counting on Adrien, Austrie to step up [Norwich Bulletin]

Thabeet made the right choice by staying [Norwich Bulletin]

It’s their senior moment [Norwich Bulletin]

UConn faces extra hurdle without Dyson [Connecticut Post]

National Title Looks To Be A Step Too Far For These Huskies [New London Day]

UConn women’s basketball links

Cardoza Returns As Temple Coach [Hartford Courant]

Auriemma, Players Finalists [Hartford Courant]

Nothing Like Being 16 With A Dream [Hartford Courant]

UConn women enjoy perfect graduation rate [Waterbury Republican-American]

UConn, Cardoza on course to meet [Norwich Bulletin]

UConn of today looks a lot like Tennessee of old [New Haven Register]

Cardoza one of few happy to go to Storrs [New Haven Register]

SHU, UConn women have perfect grad rates [Connecticut Post]

Cardoza makes homecoming to Storrs [Connecticut Post]

Cardoza Gets Taste Of Success As Head Coach [New London Day]

UConn’s Big Three among finalists for State Farm All-America team [New London Day]

UConn’s mind-numbing numbers [San Jose Mercury News]

Other UConn related links

Baseball Rallies to Defeat Sacred Heart 7-6 [UConnHuskies.com]

Wearing the green hats and shirts trimmed with green was a good omen for the Boston Red Sox on St. Patty’s Day in Ft. Myers as they used the long ball to beat the Minnesota Twins 9-5 to take a 2-1 lead in The Mayor’s Cup.

Jason Varitek got the home run party started with a solo home run in the 2nd while David Ortiz added a 2-run shot in the 3rd inning. Jacoby Ellsbury hit a 2-run home run in the 4th and later that inning Jason Bay followed with a monstrous shot over the batter’s eye in center field.

Ellsbury finished the day 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs while Big Papi was also 2-for-3 with 3 RBIs.  Bay went 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs and Jason Varitek also went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Jed Lowrie also went 2-for-3 in the game.

Josh Beckett got the start for the Green Sox today and while the box score shows he gave up some runs, he looked pretty good out there on the mound. Beckett gave up 3 runs on 6 hits and a walk while striking out 3. Jonathan Papelbon gave up 1 run and 2 hits in his inning of work. Takashi Saito added a perfect inning of relief with a strikeout while Hideki Okajima gave up a run on a hit and a walk to go along with a strikeout. Junichi Tazawa continues to impress as he worked 2 perfect innings with a strikeout.

Julio Lugo underwent his knee surgery on Tuesday and from all reports, it went as expected. He’ll be out at least 3-4 weeks as he recovers. Dustin Pedroia is expected to take batting practice on Thursday afternoon and is hoping to play in Saturday’s game against the Marlins.

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David Wright’s two-run single in the bottom of the 9th inning scoring Jimmy Rollins and Brian Roberts helped give Team USA a 6-5 win over Puerto Rico at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, FL. Team USA now advances to the semifinals of the WBC at Dodger Stadium.

Shane Victorino and Brian Roberts started the inning with back-to-back singles off of J.C. Romero. Derek Jeter followed with a line out to right that saw Victorino advance to third. With Rollins at the dish, Roberts stole second before Rollins worked the walk. Puerto Rico made a pitching change bringing on Fernando Cabrera who came in and walked Boston Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis to force in a run and make it 5-4 Puerto Rico. Wright followed it up with the game-winner.

Team USA was up 2-1 when Youk hit a solo home run, his third of the WBC, to put Team USA up by 2 runs. Youk finished the game 1-for-4 with the home run, 2 RBIs and a walk.

Javier Lopez saw action for Puerto Rico working an inning with a strikeout. He’ll be back to camp in Ft. Myers in the next day or two.

Video of Youkilis home run