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FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Star return specialist Devin Hester was released by the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday following an injury-shortened 2015 season.The 33-year-old Hester is a three-time All-Pro who set an NFL record with 20 career returns for touchdowns. He began his career with the Chicago Bears before signing a three-year, $9 million deal with Atlanta before the 2014 season.A turf toe injury knocked out most of his season in 2015. He had 269 total return yards during the last five games of the year. He had surgery in January, preventing him from full participation in offseason workouts.General manager Thomas Dimitroff said the decision to release Hester -- two days before the first practice of training camp -- was about more than the toe injury.He passed his physical, Dimitroff said Tuesday. It was a football decision for us at the very end. Not to be evasive about it, we wish him all the luck. We think its best for the organization for us to move forward.Coach Dan Quinn said wide receiver Eric Weems will continue to work on punt and kickoff returns. Wide receivers Justin Hardy, Nick Williams and Devin Fuller, a rookie, also will compete on punt returns. Running back Tevin Coleman, the top backup to starter Devonta Freeman, is an option on kickoff returns.The long list of candidates on returns was a factor in the move.Weve got some guys were pretty pumped up about to see what they can do, Quinn said.Hester apparently saw his release coming. On Wednesday, he posted on his Twitter account That look on your face when they count you out!!!!!(hash)motivationHester was drafted by the Bears as a cornerback from Miami in 2006. He switched to wide receiver and has 255 career catches for 3,311 yards and 16 touchdowns. He had 38 catches for 504 yards with Atlanta in 2014.Hester holds the record with 14 punt returns for touchdowns, including a 68-yarder with the Falcons in 2014. He had a career-high four punt returns for touchdowns in 2007, when he also returned two kickoffs for scores.Quinn described Hester as a guy I have tons of respect for.Devin is a real pro so we wish him nothing but the best, he added.Players report Wednesday and open camp Thursday.---Online:AP NFL websites: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Avalanche Jerseys 2020 . Louis Blues absence from top spot in the TSN. Avalanche Jerseys China . The 17-year-old native of Marystown, N.L., pulled out of Skate Canada International last month in Saint John, N.B., with the same problem. https://www.cheapavalanche.com/ .25 million option on reliever Jose Veras. Colorado Avalanche Store .Y. - Jerome Samson scored once in regulation and again in the shootout as the St. Stitched Avalanche Jerseys . The next step is a better finish. Bae played bogey-free Friday on another gorgeous day at Riviera for a 5-under 66, giving him a one-shot lead over Aaron Baddeley and Robert Garrigus going into the weekend. CHICAGO -- Had he accepted a trade last season, Alfonso Soriano might have played for a champion. This time around, he doesnt want to think about the possibility. A move might be a consideration if he keeps this up, though. Soriano hit a pair of two-run homers in consecutive innings to lead the Chicago Cubs to a 4-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday. "I want to win here," he said. The Cubs arent doing much of that -- and havent in a few years, actually. Theyre still in the early stages of rebuilding, and with his eight-year contract expiring in 2014, Soriano might be attractive, particularly to American League teams looking for a designated hitter. Last season, the seven-time All-Star turned down a trade to San Francisco, a decision that cost him a World Series ring. "I dont want to think about it," said Soriano, who can veto any deal. "If they have something on the table, they want to let me know before they try outside. I dont want to think about it. I just want to come to the ballpark and play my game." He delivered in this one, and so did the pitchers. Edwin Jackson and three relievers combined on a five-hitter, and the Cubs handed the Pirates just their third loss in 14 games. Pittsburgh came in with the best record in the majors and a seven-game road win streak, but the Pirates couldnt get much going at the plate or find a way to contain Soriano. His drive off Charlie Morton in the fourth after Pedro Alvarez homered in the top half put the Cubs ahead, and he followed that with a long drive to the bleachers in left to make it 4-1 in the fifth. That was enough for Jackson (5-10), who won his second straight start. A disappointment after signing a four-year deal with Chicago in January, the veteran right-hander had one of his better outings and improved to 6-2 in 10 starts against Pittsburgh. He held the Pirates to just one run and four hits in 5 2-3 innings, leaving to cheers after he walked Garrett Jones to put runners on first and second. James Russell came in and struck out Alvarez to end the threat. Matt Guerrier worked two scoreless innings, and Kevin Gregg came on in the ninth for his 15th save in 16 chances. "Every time we had a chance to maybe extend an inning or move the chains Jackson made a pitch and got out of the inning," Pirates managger Clint Hurdle said.dddddddddddd Morton (1-2) pitched six innings for Pittsburgh, allowing four runs and seven hits. He struck out six and walked three, but the long balls by Soriano were the difference. Starling Marte had two hits for the Pirates after collecting three the previous day and extended his streak to a career-high 11 games. He also had two steals, although he got caught trying to swipe third in the third inning. Pirates second baseman Neil Walker left the game because of discomfort on his right side and is day to day. Brandon Inge replaced him at second base in the fifth. Soriano put the Cubs ahead in the fourth after Anthony Rizzo doubled off the left-field wall, and he struck again with a shot in the fifth. The ball sailed to the last row of the left-field bleachers for his 12th homer this season. That gave him 32 multi-homer games in his career and two this season. He also tied Harold Baines for 59th on baseballs career home run list with 384 and took sole possession of 12th place on Chicagos list with his 175th and 176th homers as a Cub after beginning the day even with Hall of Famer Andre Dawson. "Its fun when we have a teammate swinging the bat real well," Jackson said. "Its a lot of fun in the dugout. Its positive energy and thats what this team needs." NOTES: Hurdle was a bit amused by footage showing an usher interrupting an interview with his dad by Pittsburgh broadcaster Robby Incmikoski during Fridays game. The usher told them they were blocking fans view. Hurdle said a few of his family members were upset. "Im kind of just taking the high road and chuckling about it," Hurdle said. This weekend is the Pirates annual father/son trip, where players and coaches get to bring their dads. ... The Cubs gave top prospect Javier Baez a promotion, moving him from Class A Daytona to Double-A Tennessee. The infielder was their minor league player of the month for June. "Its time for a new challenge for Javier, and I think hell respond well to it," general manager Jed Hoyer said. He also said its "highly unlikely" Baez will reach the majors this year. ... A.J. Burnett (4-6, 3.12 ERA) returns to the Pirates rotation after missing the past month with a strained right calf, and Carlos Villanueva (2-4, 3.45) starts for the Cubs on Sunday. ' ' '