Red Sox name Cora manager

The Boston Red Sox hired Houston Astros bench coach Alex Cora to be their new manager Sunday, turning to a player from their 2007 World Series championship roster to help the team out of its current playoff slump.

The Red Sox announced the hire a day after Cora’s Astros eliminated the New York Yankees in the AL Championship Series. With two days off before Houston opens the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston had a chance to hire Cora without running afoul of baseball’s ban on major moves during the Series.

Cora replaces John Farrell, who led the Red Sox to the 2013 title and in the past two years claimed the first back-to-back AL East championships in franchise history. But Boston also finished last twice in Farrell’s tenure and has won just one playoff game since winning it all in his first season.

Mets: A person familiar with the decision says New York hired Cleveland pitching coach Mickey Callaway as its manager.

Callaway received a threeyear contract, according to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made yet. A news conference to introduce Callaway is expected within the next few days.

Terry Collins stepped down at the end of the season after seven years as manager.

Callaway, 42, has been Cleveland’s pitching coach for the past five seasons under manager Terry Francona.