Last week’s announcement by the Buffalo Bisons that Torey Lovullo would be returning in 2008 for his third season as the Herd’s Manager made be very happy, but also came the realization that his time in Buffalo might soon be coming to an end.

Make no mistake, Torey is a great guy, and covering the team in the media becomes so much easier because this man always welcomes you into his office as on old friend, readily makes himself available for interviews and comments, and his love for the game and his role in it rubs off on anyone who gets the chance to get close to him. If there is one annoying thing about him, it is that he too joyous and positive. He never rebukes or calls out one of his players publicly after a subpar performance. He will always put a positive spin on the worst scenarios. I can only guess that he’s got be the world’s greatest dad, greatest husband and someone’s greatest best friend.

Bisons left-hander Juan Lara was seriously injured leaving a Winter League game in the Dominican Saturday night and may need to be transported to the United States to undergo surgery.

Lara was stopped at an intersection traveling home from his teams game in San Pedro de Macoris when a motorcycle collided with his vehicle, killing the two people on the bike. Further details about the extent Lara’s injuries are not yet available.

Lara went 4-3 with a 3.88 ERA and 50 K’s in 58 innings of work out of Buffalo’s bullpen last season.

Let’s all hope he comes out of this okay and makes a full recovery.