Back in February, Gronkowski was scheduled to make an NFL Network appearance but abruptly pulled out. It came out later that he was battling a staph infection. He had two surgeries on that forearm and developed the infection after the second surgery. Doctors discovered it and operated for a third time and put him on a six-week course of antibiotics. Profootballtalk.com posted Thursday that the infection subsided and Gronkowski is scheduled for a procedure next week to replace the metal plate in his forearm.

With the new plate in his arm, he can finally rehab the injury and get back to playing football.

But his forearm is not the only problem. Gronkowski underwent an MRI on his back to check an issue from last season. The issue is with one of the discs in his back, but sources say it is not a serious injury. If he were to get surgery, it would happen while he is rehabbing his broken arm and would not prolong his recovery.

Although he has had multiple setbacks, Gronk has been in high spirits since his season ended. On May 13, he and former Patriot Matt Light were celebrity bartenders at Strega Waterfront’s Shaking It Up charity event, and 100 percent of the proceeds that night were donated to the One Fund, which helps victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.

He also joined up with current Patriots running back Stevan Ridley to visit victims of the Marathon attacks in the hospital a week after the tragedy occurred.

In pictures from these appearances, Gronkowski is not wearing any protective sleeve or bandages. That is a good sign for Gronk and for the Patriots offense this upcoming season.

That 944-day streak came to an end on Friday as LeGrand moved back home, and thanks to the generosity of strangers who donated to LeGrand’s Believe Foundation to cover the costs of construction as well as to American Properties and the contractors who rebuilt a home on the lot where LeGrand grew up, the 22-year-old can live more independently than he has since injuring his spine.

For the past two years, LeGrand’s mother, Karen, had to do everything for her son including all kinds of little things most people don’t think about, like turning every knob and opening every door for him. Now, Eric and Karen will live in a home customized just for him. Doorways are wider. The floors are all hardwood and have even surfaces so he can cruise from room to room without any impediment. There is an elevator to the second floor and a track for a lift to take LeGrand from his bed to his shower without needing to use his wheelchair. The home has a therapy area so that LeGrand can keep his muscles strong and work toward his ultimate goal of being able to walk again.

It also boasts other amenities any 22-year-old would want: a big-screen TV for LeGrand and his buddies to watch the game on and a semi-private suite for LeGrand so he can live somewhat apart from his mother.

The impact that the new home will have on his life showed immediately. On Friday, as people gathered at the LeGrand’s new home to celebrate the occasion, Karen LeGrand realized she could not find her son. He eventually was found in the driveway, a place that he had never been able to get to on his own since his injury.

“I can leave without telling my mom now,” LeGrand told NJ.com. “She’s going to be chasing me down Avenel Street!”

Most mothers would not appreciate the ability to lose track of where their child was, but for Karen LeGrand, it was a moment to celebrate the fact that thanks to this new house, Eric has the freedom to sneak away from his mother on his own.

And just like that, she was forced to do a random drug test during a television appearance. Although the test was a surprise, Raisman said she is not concerned.

“I’m clean, so I don’t have anything to worry about,” she said.

But still, the timing of the test is pretty crazy.

“I just drank a lot of water, so I’m normally pretty quick,” Raisman told the show’s hosts, Billy Bush and Kit Hoover.

The drop-in tests, like the one Raisman underwent Thursday, are “random,” but she did question the timing of this one, considering she’s a finalist on Dancing with the Stars and about to dance in the season finale.

“It’s the World Anti-Doping Agency. They haven’t [tested me] since the Olympics, and they choose the finale week of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ to come,” she said. “Out of all the days since the Olympics, they choose like, the craziest week.”

Drug tests are definitely part of any athletes work, but could the World Anti-Doping Agency not have chosen a better time to test Raisman? Maybe even wait until she gets home from a TV appearance? It’s not as if she’s someone they’ve ever had issues with before, and it does seem a bit extreme to test her right now, especially on the set of a television appearance.

If anything, the whole situation continues to portray Raisman in a positive light. Judging by her remarks, she handled the surprise well and continues to make Massachusetts proud.

“I remember shaking Ted Williams hand, and he seemed larger than life,” she said.

Williams and Doerr used to do business at one of my mother’s friend’s houses around the corner from the Pleasant Cafe in Roslindale back when my mother was young. One time, she got wind that the two players were having dinner at her friend’s house, and she seized the opportunity and invited herself over. She said she was in awe as both men seemed rather imposing and intimidating to my mother at first blush. Williams gave my mother an autographed bat before tucking in to the spaghetti and meatballs they all ate for dinner.

This past Mother’s Day, I spoke with my mom about her memories of the Red Sox, baseball history and what the present team brings to home plate. My mom spoke fondly of listening to the play-by-play broadcasts on the radio alongside her father. The “voice of the Red Sox” back then was Jim Britt and his voice resonated throughout the house when the Sox were in town.

I asked my Mom who her favorite manager of the Red Sox was and her answer did not surprise me: Dick Williams. During Williams’ first year as head coach of the Sox, he and captain Carl Yastrzemski led the “Impossible Dream” Sox to the World Series.

Boston lost in Game 7 to the St. Louis Cardinals, but it was still a season for the ages. Unfortunately, Tom Yawkey, the owner of the Red Sox, handed Williams a pink slip two seasons later, and my mother has yet to forgive Yawkey for that.

“Dick Williams was firm with his players and the team responded by taking care of things,” my mother said. “It was a real loss for the Red Sox when Dick Williams was fired.”

Her intuition was spot on as Williams went on to lead the Oakland A’s to two World Series titles.

My mother spoke highly of Terry Francona as well, and under his guidance, the team returned the World Series trophy to Beantown in 2004 for the first time in 86 years. My mother recited the names of the players on the team as if she were reciting the alphabet: Johnny Damon, Pokey Reese, Pedro Martinez, Manny Ramirez and her beloved Jason Varitek (she also is a huge Carlton Fisk fan, so there is clearly a special spot in her heart for catcher).

We also touched upon tragic moments in Red Sox history.

“Tony Conigliaro had the looks of a movie star and could make all the girls swoon,” my mother said as we spoke of the tragic story of Tony C., who, at 22 years old, was struck in the head at home plate on a steamy August night in 1967. The memory of that moment still brings my mother to tears.

“Jack Hamilton pulled Conigliaro towards the plate with a fastball and shattered his cheekbone,” she said. Conig, as he was affectionately known, was on track for the Baseball Hall of Fame.

“Rico Petrocelli was so shaken by the accident, it was so sad,” my mom recalled with a distant tone to her voice.

As she continued her reflections about her beloved team, she touched on the always-controversial Manny Ramirez.

“He had a balky attitude and if he was able to overcome his personality his playing would follow,” she said. “He is a great player and a great hitter with a lot of raw talent.”

Fast forward to the present and my mother shared that she is enthusiastic about the role that Pedro Martinez is playing with the Red Sox. The pitching icon works as a special assistant for Juan Nieves, the Red Sox pitching coach, and is ever popular within the organization.

“Pedro is an excellent addition to the pitching staff and he was an effective pitcher who, when healthy, could get the job done,” she said.

My mother also likes Daniel Nava, a new kid on the block on Yawkey Way. She said he is a tremendously strong outfielder. He was labeled as a below average outfielder due to his string of hip injuries yet has proved the naysayers wrong.

Recently, Nava was instrumental in an impressive 5-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.

My mother has always enjoyed baking and informed me that the ingredients for the recipe for the Sox to be contenders are there. May — so far — has been a lackluster month for the Red Sox, but my mother still believes in the impossible dream. Here’s hoping that the Red Sox go the distance and fulfill my Mother’s Day wish for her.

But even if the Red Sox don’t win any trophies this year, I would gladly take my Mom to the ballpark any day. For now, she will have to reminisce as she pulls out her cherished vinyl record of the “Impossible Dream” and hopes to hear that music one more time.

The Bruins had better quit with these dramatic overtime wins if they want fans to be able to stand it enough to stick around, either way everyone in Boston is happy to see the Bruins jump ahead with a Game 1 victory over the New York Rangers.

Considering how solid a defensive team the Rangers are, the Bruins will need their recent offensive surge and resiliency as they have shown for the second game in a row that they will not give up and can take any team into overtime and come out the winner. With clutch performances from Brad Marchand and Tuukka Rask, the Bruins showed they aren’t to be trifled with and have what it takes to take the series.

Highlights:

• Goalie Tuukka Rask had 33 saves in the game, proving to be a rival to the Rangers’ goalie Henrik Lundqvist; this series will feature a great dual between the two players so keep an eye on that going forward.
• Brad Marchand has been struggling offensively as of late despite leading the team with 18 goals in the regular season. After leaving the morning skate with what was revealed as a minor injury he eventually got into the game and scored the winning goal.
• Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron also had great offensive games, especially in overtime as they both got assists on Marchand’s game winning goal.

Player of the Game:

• Though Marchand has been struggling to put it together in the playoffs, he was able to click at just the right time. Marchand received a text from a friend that told him to play his game and not worry, well it certainly seemed to help as he showed his mental toughness and will to win to hand the Bruins a Game 1 victory.

Quote of the Game:

“I think I was getting away from controlling the puck and trying to make plays,” Marchand said. “That’s where I play my game, down low in the corners and trying to do things there. I felt like the last couple of games were more like that, and I’m just trying to keep it simple and not do too much.”

Looking Ahead:

Though the Bruins won, it was not an easy win by any accounts. The Rangers have shown that they are a tough team and can shut down an offense, though they are not unbeatable. If the Bruins hope to walk away from the series as the winner they will need their key offensive performers to play to their full potential as well as their defensive line.

Johnson is wanted by police for skipping out on his probation and a court-ordered domestic violence counseling program. A judge signed the warrant back on May 7, but Johnson’s whereabouts have been unknown since then, although on Thursday, Johnson tweeted that it was “chilly in Pasadena”, across the country from Florida.

In August, Johnson was arrested for head-butting his wife and was released by the Miami Dolphins soon after the incident. Ochocinco retired from football and got divorced by his now ex-wife, Evelyn Lozada.

Not much has been reported to the public, but there is an official report detailing the arrest and what could happen when Johnson is found.

“A warrant has been issued for Johnson’s arrest in Broward County, Florida — stemming from his domestic violence conviction involving ex-wife Evelyn Lozada last year. Johnson has failed to report to his probation officer — a violation of the terms of his probation — and on May 7, a judge issued the warrant. Once Johnson is taken into custody — a hearing will be set to determine whether Johnson did in fact violate his probation. If he did, it could mean jail time.”

Early Wednesday morning, several members of the team went to get some snacks after the long trip to Johnstown, Pa., but were entirely unprepared for what they met on their way. As they walked toward their destination, a car pulled up with a couple begging for help for their young son, who was in grave danger after suffering a high fever and seizure.

“They got out of the car and started yelling,” said senior second baseman Evan King. “We were all confused and didn’t know what was going on.”

The boy’s mother, Megan Norman, said that Braydin Norman had a 104.3-degree fever, so she and her husband took him to the hospital even though he had been conscious and alert. But things took a turn for the worse in the car, and when he started to go into a seizure, vomited and choked on it, both parents panicked. That was when they ran into the Millersville baseball team.

Tyler McDonald, a redshirt sophomore was the hero of the night, taking control of the tense situation.

“We all ran towards them and we just assessed the situation,” said McDonald. “I asked if anyone was CPR certified because our school offers a class for it. No one said anything, so I was like ‘All right, I used to be CPR certified’ so I kind took over – I wouldn’t say took over, because we all helped, but I knew what I was doing.”

The players calmly told Braydin’s father to take off his jacket and put it under his son’s head to help clear his airway. One player help Braydin’s hand while McDonald administered CPR. After receiving CPR, the boy began to respond, much to the joy of the Norman family, and the Millersville team waited with them until an ambulance had arrived. The players slipped a Millersville baseball bracelet on the boy’s wrist before the ambulance whisked him away, and that bracelet was what helped the Normans track down their son’s saviors after he was stabilized. Once Braydin’s condition improved, his parents him to watch the Marauders play. He was given a baseball signed by the whole team along with a photo of those present Wednesday morning.

Thanks to the Millersville baseball team, Braydin should grow up and enjoy healthy life, and while he may not quite remember what happened that night, he’ll always have that baseball as a reminder of that miraculous evening.

Nine-year-old Alayna Adams was told she was specially selected to throw out the first pitch, but she said she did not know the exact reasons for the decision. She stepped out on the mound and looked down to home plate where the catcher waiting for the pitch. Her father appeared on the jumbotron in center field telling her to stay focused and that he hoped to see her soon.

Alayna threw the pitch and after the catcher caught it, he flipped off his mask and there was her father, standing just feet away.  Adams beamed as his daughter ran across the field and jumped into his arms, thrilled to see her dad for the first time in years.

“I thought it was a dream,” Alayna said.

It was most certainly not a dream though; it was a great and amazing reality for the family as Adams made his surprise visit. The joy on both Will and Alayna’s faces certainly was indescribable.

Dr. James Andrews performed the surgeries in Pensacola, Fla. The really bad news is that Hanrahan could be out for a full 12 months, which means he won’t pitch again this season, and could miss part of the ’14 season. For what it’s worth, he’ll be a free agent after this season.

Hanrahan didn’t have a great start for the Sox, with a 9.82 ERA through nine games. Luckily for the Sox, Andrew Bailey is expected to rejoin the club on the road Monday night before a three-game series against the White Sox. With Hanrahan out, keeping Bailey healthy as a closer will be key.

“I felt good. I threw all my pitches,” Bailey said, after throwing a simulated game at Tropicana Field on Thursday. “The next step is to pitch Saturday in Pawtucket and then be back. Everything feels good. It’s a baseball thing, just getting acclimated again. Everything feels great.”

Bailey hasn’t pitched since April 28 since a strained bicep pulled him out of the game.

It was San Jose defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic who was charged with the penalty, but Sharks players on the ice thought the puck hit LA King Jeff Carter before it left the ice and went into the stands. Regardless, the call stood and San Jose was forced to go into penalty kill mode.

But Sharks coach Todd McLellan wasn’t blaming the call for his team’s loss like you might expect.

“You go back and look at it, it looks like it changed direction,” McLellan said, via NBC’s Pro Hockey Talk. “The one thing that I’ve learned, certainly through this playoffs, is it’s not going to do me any good to whine and moan and bitch about the referees.

“It’s not going to get us anywhere. We took some penalties, we needed to kill them, and we move on.”

“The one thing I like about our team, is maybe in the past this would have probably bothered our team a little more,” McLellan said. “But, with the group of guys we have, I think we can recover from this.”

The Sharks return to their home ice for Game 3 on Saturday.