NEWS » Zimmermann said. When I was rehabbi

NEW ORLEANS -- The New Orleans Pelicans are rife with uncertainty as they prepare to open training camp this weekend.Anthony Davis and Co. believe they are poised to improve substantially over last seasons injury-riddled, 30-52 campaign, but a lot of variables have to work in their favor.Its unclear when several members of Davis supporting cast will return from various injuries -- or in guard Jrue Holidays case, a serious family matter requiring leave.Meanwhile, the club is eager to see how several key offseason acquisitions will fit in, as well as a few players added more for their potential upside than anything theyve achieved lately.Well have a different look. We lost some guys that weve had for a few years, general manager Dell Demps said Friday afternoon, referring primarily to guard Eric Gordon and forward Ryan Anderson. But I like the group that we have right now. I like the approach that we have. Weve got a lot of guys that made it the hard way, that had to grind their way to have success.The Pelicans top free-agent pickups included Solomon Hill from Indiana, guard ETwaun Moore from Chicago and point guard Langston Galloway from New York. They signed Terrence Jones, who won a national title with Davis at Kentucky, and Lance Stephenson to low-risk deals. They also drafted Oklahoma sharp-shooter Buddy Hield and Kansas forward Cheick Diallo.Some of those players will be relied upon heavily early on, in part because Holiday is on indefinite leave to tend to his wife Lauren, a former international soccer star who was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor while pregnant. Meanwhile, it remains unclear when guard Tyreke Evans and small forward Quincy Pondexter will return from prolonged rehabilitation from knee injuries.Dell said all three could be back within the first two months of the season, but stressed that Holiday has been told to focus on his family and has no concrete timeline to return.Coach Alvin Gentry did not specify how the rotation at guard will work out in Holidays absence.That will kind of take care of itself, Gentry said. Well do a lot of switching lineups and putting guys in different positions. ... Youll see a lot of versatility in the way we play because we have those kinds of players.Evans and Pondexter both have had post-surgery complications, making it tougher to predict when their recovery will be complete.Evans said he developed a blood clot in his calf.I had to take a step back, but I kept working hard in my rehab, said Evans, who is also in the final year of his contract. I feel good, but doctors said, `Dont rush it.Evans said hes not aware of any concerns doctors have that clotting will recur.Pondexter said his leg still has to get a lot stronger, after two major surgeries.But when asked whether doubt has set in regarding whether hell return at all, Pondexter retorted, Hell, no.Davis said he is healthy after missing the end of last season with shoulder and knee injuries, then skipping the Rio Olympics. He said he wants these Pelicans to attack the season with a blue-collar mentality.We want to be kind of like Boston was last year, not having a lot of talent but guys play hard, Davis said. The guys that we brought in want to be a part of this and its always good to have guys who are on the same page.Added Demps, When we put this group together, we think it does complement Anthony and obviously everything starts with him.The additions of Jones and Stephenson appear to have considerable upside. Jones averaged better than 11 points in two of the previous three seasons, while Stephenson averaged 14.2 points in his final 25 games last season, after being traded to Memphis.Nothing was promised to those guys. Its going to be how they fit in, Demps said, adding that both players have attended Pelicans voluntary offseason workouts. They actually both looked good in the workouts and I think were hoping to get the best version of themselves. Liberty London sWell Bottle . The Redskins announced Monday that the quarterback who led the team to the Super Bowl championship in the 1987 season will serve as a personnel executive. Swell Traveler Sale .R. Smith realized how easily basketball can be taken from him, and he wasnt going to take his place in the NBA for granted anymore. http://www.swellbottleuk.com/ . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans. Swell Bottle Uk . The recently retired Stern was elected Friday to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and will be enshrined with the class of 2014 on Aug. Swell Marble Bottle Uk . Goals from Jerome Boateng, Franck Ribery and Thomas Mueller extended Bayerns unbeaten run to a record 37 matches. "This record is incredible," Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said. CHICAGO -- Detroit Tigers right-hander Jordan Zimmermann has been activated from the disabled list and is scheduled to start Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles.Zimmermann left Washington as a free agent and signed a $110 million, five-year deal with the Tigers during the offseason. He was 5-0 with a 0.55 ERA after five April starts but has struggled since and gone on the DL twice because of neck pain.Zimmermann gave up two home runs in a rehab start for Triple-A Toledo on Monday, throwing 80 pitches.Im pain free, Zimmermann said Tuesday. I feel great and the ball is coming out good. I have pretty good command of the off-speed pitches, so its way, way better than when I was rehabbing the first time and tried coming back. I feel as strong or if not stronger than I did in April. Im excited to get back out there.He said he threw his fastball from 90-93 mph, attributing a drop in velocity to the neck strain earlier this year.Zimmermann, 9-5 with a 4.44 ERA in 16 starts, allowed ssix runs and six hits while getting five outs in his last start with Detroit on Aug.dddddddddddd 4. He also had a poor June before being sidelined the first time.As long as Im feeling good and I can locate, I can pitch at 90-91 no problem, Zimmermann said. When I was rehabbing the first time I was 90-91 and couldnt locate. Thats a recipe for disaster. If I can locate, I have enough off-speed pitches to get these guys off-balance and I should be fine.Manager Brad Ausmus said right-hander Michael Fulmer will start against Baltimore on Friday and ace Justin Verlander on Sunday at Comerica Park.Detroit won 11 of 14 entering Tuesday, moving into a tie with the Orioles for the second AL wild card.Were playing good ball right now, Zimmerman said. If I can get back in there and help them win some ballgames down the stretch here, thats really what I want to do. ' ' '