Cubs continue shake up

Front office goes through changes

The Chicago Cubs shook up their player-development operation, with Matt Dorey taking over as senior vice president of player development and directors of pitching and hitting appointed.

Dorey, Chicago’s director of amateur scouting the past six years, was previously a scout for the Boston Red Sox and a college coach.

Former major league reliever Craig Breslow has been appointed director of pitching and special assistant to the president and general manager.

Hired in January as director of strategic initiatives for baseball operations, he will try to develop more homegrown impact pitchers.

Justin Stone is the director of hitting after serving as Chicago’s biokinematic hitting consultant since 2018. Chicago also appointed Bobby Basham as director of player development.

Phillies

Dusty Baker and Philadelphia have reportedly met for a second time as the team continues to search for a new manager. Baker initially interviewed for the job Wednesday, then had a second round of interviews Thursday, according to multiple reports. “They got a good team, great city, I’ve been coming here for years,” Baker said. “The fans are great. So it’s a great place to possibly come and work.” The Phillies also reportedly will have second interviews with Joe Girardi and Buck Showalter.

Dodgers

Los Angeles is expected to be more aggressive this offseason after a disappointing exit from the playoffs. The club has won seven consecutive NL West titles but has continually fallen short of a World Series championship. According to sources, Washington slugger Anthony Rendon may be high on their shopping list. Rendon has hit .375 with a homer, four doubles, eight walks, seven RBIs and eight runs over Washington’s 10 postseason games, helping the club win the NL pennant.

Indians

Catcher Roberto Perez had surgery to remove bone spurs in his right ankle. The team said Perez underwent the arthroscopic procedure Thursday in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The 30-year-old Perez is expected to be fully recovered by spring training in February. Perez batted .239 with 24 homers and 63 RBIs in 119 games. He entered the season with just 21 homers.