- The St. Louis Cardinals have traded veteran left-hander Jaime

WALTHAM, Mass. -- Boston Celtics big man Al Horford,?responding to criticism for missing Monday nights game in?Miami after the birth of his second child, said Tuesday that he felt it was important to be there for his family.My familys very important to me, said Horford, who welcomed daughter Alia on Sunday. Im in more of a unique situation because this is our first year [in Boston] and my wife, we all moved in the middle of the pregnancy. And [there is] a lot going on. So I just felt like it was important for me to really be there, supporting her. And we have a son as well. So for her, its been a lot thrown at her these past few months.I know that it meant a lot for me to be there with her. ... So Im just very happy that the Celtics really take the time and they consider us not only as players but as people. And people that have families.Horford signed a four-year, $113 million contract this summer and had already missed nine games this season due to a concussion.?When the Celtics announced Monday morning that he would sit out, some fans grumbled on social media. The criticism seemed to diminish when the reason for Horfords absence was revealed.After the game -- a 112-104 victory -- Horfords decision was questioned during a segment on Comcast SportsNet, the broadcast home of the Celtics. Horfords sister, Anna, active on social media, responded swiftly to the criticism.Horford spent nearly all of his five-minute session with reporters Tuesday responding to the fallout.I dont really read into [the criticism]. I dont read Twitter and stuff, and the radio and all that, Horford said. I just kind of focus on the court, on my job here, and then, off the court, on my family.Everybody has their opinion. I respect anything that anybody has to say. I care a lot about the group and our guys. For my familys sake, it was important for me to be there for them. Just with our transition and everything. So thats that. Now I can put that behind me and get focused again on [Wednesdays game against the Pistons].Horford was the third player in the past six months whom the Celtics allowed to miss games for newborns (Jonas Jerebko and Avery Bradley?each welcomed children earlier in the calendar year).Coach Brad Stevens has stressed that family comes before all else for members of the organization.I think our greatest responsibilities are as sons, husbands, fathers. I think thats your No. 1 job, Stevens said. Were thrilled for the Horfords and were thrilled to have Al back at practice [Tuesday] and be ready to go [Wednesday]. Obviously, family is really important.Horford said his teammates were nothing but supportive before and after Mondays game.Added Horford: I was able to watch and I was just very proud with our guys, how they responded. I feel like in our short season already we havent been fully available, all of us, through all the games. Its just impressive to see a guy like Isaiah [Thomas] not making any excuses. And the list goes on. Not only Isaiah. All the other guys, but everybody just making sure they go in and they put in the work. And they dont make excuses.Horford reported that mother and baby are doing well.Everybodys healthy. That was the most important thing, Horford said. And [Alia has] been great so far. NMD CS1 Australia . 10 VCU 85-67 on Thursday night at the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. The Seminoles (4-0) have scored at least 80 points in each of their games. NMD R1 Mens Sale .C. at the helm of the top team in the Eastern Conference. His tenure as the GM in Vancouver was all too brief. Though he led the Canucks to what was then a franchise record-shattering campaign in just his second season, Nonis was gone and replaced one year later. http://www.nmdaustraliasale.com/ .Y. -- Injured Buffalo Sabres forward Marcus Foligno did not practice with the team Monday and head coach Ron Rolston said its unlikely hell play in Wednesdays season opener in Detroit. Adidas NMD Clearance . LeBron James and Chris Bosh didnt need any more. Williams scored 11 points in 10 minutes, Alan Anderson scored 17 points, and the Brooklyn Nets finished the exhibition season with a 108-87 win over the Miami Heat on Friday night. NMD CS2 Australia . A big centre with all the tools to be an elite player, Johansen paced the Blue Jackets with a standout game Saturday night. He had a goal and two assists for a career-high three points as Columbus beat the New York Islanders 5-2 to snap a five-game losing streak. ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals have traded veteran left-hander Jaime Garcia to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for three prospects, including infielder Luke Dykstra, the son of former MLB veteran Lenny Dykstra.Pitchers John Gant and Chris Ellis were also sent to the Cardinals.The Cardinals picked up Garcias $12 million option last month in part because they thought he could be a valuable trade piece.They were also dealing from a surplus of arms --?Carlos Martinez, Alex Reyes, Adam Wainwright, Mike Leake and Lance Lynn?-- figured for their rotation in 2017.Garcia, 31, is coming off a down year in which he went 10-13 with a 4.dddddddddddd67 ERA. But he has been one of the games most underrated starting pitchers when healthy, and he finished last season as healthy as he had finished any season in recent memory. He has had major shoulder, elbow and thoracic outlet surgeries in the past.The Braves have been aggressive in bulking up their starting rotation going into next season, when they will open their new stadium, having already acquired veterans Bartolo Colon and R.A. Dickey. ' ' '