Rays' Tim Beckham to miss most of 2014 season with as torn ACL

Tampa Bay Rays infielder Tim Beckham will miss a significant portion of the 2014 season after tearing the ACL in his right knee, the Times has learned.

Beckham, the top pick in the 2008 draft, made his major-league debut in September, and has earned praise from manager Joe Maddon.

Though Beckham, 23, would have been a longshot to make the opening day roster, he was likely to see action during the season if the Rays needed depth or had an injury to a middle infielder.

Beckham was promoted after a solid season at Triple-A Durham, hitting .276 with four homers, 51 RBIs and a .342 on-base percentage. He was chosen by the Rays ahead of Pedro Alvarez, Eric Hosmer and Buster Posey, among other present-day major-league stars.

The knee injury is the latest setback in Beckham's career, as he has progress has been slowed by inconsistent play and a drug-related suspension. Beckham was believed to have been hurt working out, but no details were available.

Hak-Ju Lee, the Rays other top middle infield prospect, is recovering well from knee surgery after being injured last season, but his status for the start of the 2014 season is uncertain.

Former North Carolina basketball player Will Graves, faces drug charges after drugs found in house rented from Roy Williams

Former UNC basketball player Will Graves is facing drug charges in Chapel Hill after an arrest at a property owned by UNC basketball coach Roy Williams.

According to an arrest report, Graves was charged with one count of possession of marijuana and one count of drug paraphernalia.

Police say Graves consented to a search of the home on Pinehurst Drive on Dec. 6. Officers found marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the home including marijuana "seeds," "three blunts," and "two burnt blunts," according to the police report.

A UNC spokesperson says Will Graves was finishing his degree at UNC and working as a part-time video coordinator for the basketball team this semester.

UNC says Coach Williams rented the house to Graves, and Graves paid for it.

Roy Williams is aware of the arrest and is "disappointed about it", according to UNC.  Graves has been in trouble before, being kicked off the team in 2010 for violating team rules.

Omar Infante signs four year deal with the Kansas City Royals

Omar Infante is officially once again an ex-Detroit Tiger. The second baseman reportedly will sign with the AL Central rival Kansas City Royals.

Reports say the contract is for four years and around $30 million.

The Tigers went in a different direction at second base when they traded first baseman Prince Fielder to the Texas Rangers for Ian Kinsler.

The New York Yankees were thought to be the leader for Infante's services and reportedly offered three years for $24 million but Infante wanted four years, so he signed with Kansas City instead. It's a good pickup for Kansas City as they filled their hole at second base for good value.

Infante batted  .318 with 10 home runs, 51 RBIs and a .795 OPS in 118 games for the Tigers in 2013. Infante has a .279 career average and a .721 career OPS.

Even though he won't be a Tiger, they'll see a lot of him within the division.