ARLINGTON, Texas -- Athletics right-hander A.J. Griffin is scheduled to have elbow surgery Wednesday, and will miss the entire season with fellow third-year starter Jarrod Parker. "We were hoping that wasnt going to be the case," Oakland manager Bob Melvin said before Tuesdays game in Texas. "Losing two guys like that for the entire season is a difficult blow. Ones a blow, two is tough. You move on, but you certainly have a lot of sympathy for the two guys that are having to go through that, because theyve meant so much to this team over the last couple of years." Parker, who had been expected to be Oaklands opening day starter, had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow during spring training. Griffin will have the surgery after getting a second opinion Tuesday from Dr. Thomas Mehlhoff in Houston. Melvin said he didnt know the specifics of the surgery Griffin will have or how extensive it would be. He had spoken only briefly to Griffin. "Hes always pretty happy-go-lucky, in good spirits," Melvin said. "I think the fact that hes having it done this early gives him a light at the end of the tunnel to pitch next season. The longer that goes on, the more difficult it is to come back and get semi-close to a full season. Hes looking at it very positively." Parker and Griffin combined for 26 victories last season. Griffin was 14-10 with a 3.83 ERA last season after making his major league debut in 2012 going 7-1 with a 3.06 ERA in 15 starts for the As. Parker went 13-8 in 2012, and was 12-8 last season. Gary Trent Jr. Jersey . Best has been bothered by concussion problems and hasnt played since Oct. 16, when the Lions lost to San Francisco. After starting 5-0, Detroit has lost four of six, beginning with that game against the 49ers. Damian Lillard Jersey . -- Even as Chris Paul remained evasive about his future, he did what team leaders are expected to do. http://www.blazersteamofficial.com/Damian-Lillard-Blazers-Jersey/ .com) - Maria Sharapova rallied for a three- set win over Ana Ivanovic on Saturday to capture the season-opening Brisbane International tennis tournament. Clyde Drexler Blazers Jersey . Balotelli was out at dinner with his brother Enoch and came home to discover he had been burgled. The car was later found abandoned. Balotelli wrote Saturday on Twitter: "I feel empty! No emotions . Clyde Drexler Jersey . J.J. Hardy drove in a run for the Orioles, who bounced back from an 8-4 loss in the series opener on Friday. Fresh off the 15-day disabled list, Derrek Lee went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Jake Arrieta (7-3) gave up three runs on five hits over six innings to pick up the win.INDIANAPOLIS -- Adam Vinatieri has warmed up to those chilly New England receptions. Sometimes, he hears cheers. Sometimes, he hears boos. Its all part of life as an ex-Pat in one of footballs fiercest rivalries -- even for a kicker who signed with the Colts eight years ago. "Its the (Red) Sox-Yankees, if you will, that kind of thing where I think both teams respect each other and know what comes to the table," Vinatieri said. The story lines in this annual series have traditionally started and ended with the quarterbacks -- Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and now Andrew Luck. But the ties run so much deeper, especially given Indianapolis ever-expanding list of former Patriots. In addition to Vinatieri, theres cornerback Darius Butler, who may replace injured starter Greg Toler in Saturday nights playoff game, with the winner advancing to the AFC championship game. Butler was New Englands second-round pick in 2009, and since joining the Colts in September 2012, hes intercepted eight passes and returned three for scores. "Youve always got something to prove," said Butler, who was cut by the Patriots at the end of training camp in 2011. "And its always special when youre facing a former team." Safety Sergio Brown spent two seasons with New England (12-4) before landing with Indy last season, too. If LaRon Landry doesnt clear the concussion protocol before kickoff, the special teams standout could be starting, too. And on Monday, the Colts added another New England fan favourite -- receiver Deion Branch, the Super Bowl MVP in the Patriots last title run. Saturday will be his first trip to New Englands visiting locker room, and Branch isnt entirely sure about how hell be treated by the fans who warmly embraced him for so many years. "I think so far its been a little 75-25 (positive)," Branch said, based on what hes heard about the fans reaction to signing with Indy (12-5). "Most everybody understands and they respect that,, but then you have those die-hard fans.dddddddddddd" Massachusetts native Matt Hasselbeck is one of three Colts players -- along with left tackle Anthony Castonzo and right tackle Gosder Cherilus -- who played at Boston College, and he knows enough about the city and its fans to know the boos are nothing personal. "Its probably a sign of respect, deep down," said Hasselbeck, who was a New England ball boy when his father, Don, played for the Patriots. "I think Adam is one of the all-time sports icons in that area, I know he was to me when I was in college there. Those kicks, especially in the snow, were special moments." Vinatieris history didnt matter to some fans when he returned to Foxborough for the first time in November 2006. While former teammates and team owner Robert Kraft traded handshakes with Vinatieri, he heard boos along with the cheers. It probably wont be much different Saturday night. New Englands ties to Indy are limited. Coach Bill Belichick started his NFL coaching career with the Colts back in 1975 when the team was still in Baltimore, and offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia worked on the Colts staff in 1989 and 1990. The only former Colt on New Englands roster is receiver Austin Collie. "I look forward to seeing guys that Ive built relationships with there," Collie said. "But to me its just - weve got to win. Its all about advancing. Thats what my mindset is." The Colts concur. "Ive been over on that sideline for a lot of years, too, and I know what they bring to the table. Theyll have their team ready to play. The fans will be loud and crazy. Its playoff football," Vinatieri said. "Thats what its supposed to be like." Notes: Receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (hamstring) was the only Colts player who did not practice Thursday. Coach Chuck Pagano said he expected everybody except Heyward-Bey to play Saturday night, though Landry still has to be cleared because of his concussion. ' ' '