Touch 'Em All:
Padres send Black packing Bud Black knew full well the expectations to win now with his remade, star-studded roster - and with a new front office, too.
Padres send Black packing
Bud Black knew full well the expectations to win now with his remade, star-studded roster - and with a new front office, too.
In his ninth season as manager, Black saw his tenure come to an end Monday after the Padres fired him with San Diego sitting in third place in the loaded NL West at 32-33. The Padres never reached the playoffs under Black, who took over when Bruce Bochy departed to manage the Giants in 2007.
Former Padres outfielder and current bench coach Dave Roberts was set to take over as interim skipper.
Black inherited an entire new outfield during the club's offseason overhaul, one Matt Kemp called the best in baseball.
Rays sign Sizemore
The Tampa Bay Rays signed outfielder Grady Sizemore to a minor-league contract. Sizemore, 32, was released by the Phillies earlier this month.
He will report to the Rays' spring-training complex in Port Charlotte, Fla., to start working out. No date has been set for when he will play in minor-league games.
He has a .265 average with 144 homers and 491 RBIs during a 10-year big-league career.
Wright on mend
Mets GM Sandy Alderson said there's a possibility that third baseman David Wright (back) will rejoin the team around the all-star break. Wright has been on the disabled list since April 15 and is participating in physical therapy and rehab with doctors in California. He was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, but Mets personnel are confident he will return to the team this year.
- Associated Press