Texas GM Daniels gets extension

By The Associated Press

The Texas Rangers gave general manager Jon Daniels a multiyear contract extension at a time when the team is focused on developing young players at the major league level.

Texas missed the playoffs in 2017 and was 27-37 going into its Thursday night home game against defending World Series champion Houston. But the Rangers have made their only two World Series appearances in Daniels’ 13 seasons as GM and won four American League West Division titles.

“There is a definite sense of urgency, not for a quick fix by any stretch ... but a sense of urgency in everything that we do to make progress, to put building blocks in place and keep going,” Daniels said Thursday. “Our focus has been on just re-establishing a foundation for a long-term sustainable model to win here for a long time.”

Daniels’ contract had been scheduled to expire at the end of this season. He is also the team’s president of baseball operations.

When Daniels replaced John Hart after the 2005 season, he was 28 and the youngest GM ever in baseball. Daniels turns 41 Aug. 24.

Only New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, who has been in that job since 1998, has a longer tenure among current general managers. Daniels is already the longest-tenured general manager in Rangers history.

Yankees

Left-hander Jordan Montgomery had Tommy John surgery, which will keep him out until the second half of next season or possibly 2020. Team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad performed the reconstructive surgery Thursday to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in Montgomery’s left elbow, consistent with a recent MRI. A loose bone chip also was removed. Montgomery, who turns 26 in December, was 2-0 with a 3.62 ERA in six starts after going 9-7 with a 3.88 ERA in 29 starts as a rookie last season. He left a May 1 outing against Houston with tightness in his elbow after pitching one inning.

Twins

Minnesota reinstated right-handed pitcher Trevor May from the disabled list and assigned him to Class AAA, a little less than 15 months after Tommy John elbow surgery. May had the ligament replacement procedure in March 2017 after he got hurt in a spring training game. The Twins made the move Thursday, transferring catcher Jason Castro from the 10-day disabled list to the 60-day DL to clear room on their 40-man roster. In reality, Castro will miss the rest of the season because of a torn meniscus in his right knee.