Blue Jays reward manager Gibbons with extension through 2019 season
TORONTO - Blue Jays manager John Gibbons has received a contract extension through the 2019 season after guiding Toronto to the playoffs the last two years.
The team said Saturday there is a club option for the 2020 season. His contract had been restructured before the 2016 season.
Gibbons has spent parts of nine seasons as Toronto’s manager. He helped the team end a 22-year postseason drought in 2015.
Last fall, the Blue Jays finished 89-73, beat Baltimore in the AL wild-card game, defeated Texas in the AL Division Series and lost to Cleveland in the ALCS.
The Blue Jays open this season at Baltimore on Monday. Toronto’s home opener is April 11 against Milwaukee.
Red Sox recall Selsky from minors to finalize 25-man roster: The Boston Red Sox have recalled infielder Steve Selksy from Triple-A Pawtucket and optioned infielder Marco Hernandez.
The moves, announced Saturday by Red Sox manager John Farrell, finalize the team’s 25-man roster for opening day.
Selsky was optioned to Pawtucket earlier in the week, but Farrell ultimately decided he was worth bringing back.
Speaking at the Naval Academy before the Red Sox faced Washington in an exhibition game, Farrell said Selsky provides Boston with a right-handed bat that “gives us some balance to the bench.”
Farrell says Selsky’s ability to play first base was “another main component” in the decision.
He says the roster will remain in a state of flux for a couple weeks, but adds, “I’m excited about the group we’ll open up Monday with.”
Boston obtained the 27-year-old Selsky off waivers during the offseason.
Mattingly, Marlins set for Volquez to start opener vs Nats: Miami manager Don Mattingly has a simple goal for his starting rotation in 2017.
“You ask them to keep you in games and give us a chance to win that night,” Mattingly said.
The death of Jose Fernandez in a boating accident last September left the Marlins with a huge hole to fill in that rotation.
Miami signed Edinson Volquez and traded for Dan Straily, both righties, during the offseason. They will make the first two starts of the season for Miami at Washington next week.
Mattingly tabbed Volquez, entering his 13th big league season, for the opening day start because of his experience.
“He’s been through a lot,” Mattingly said. “That day is kind of weird. There’s a lot going on. There’s a lot of energy. There’s a lot of emotion and he’s been through it so I knew he would probably feed off the energy better than most guys.”
Volquez made two starts for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. In five Grapefruit League appearances, three starts, Volquez was 0-1 with a 3.77 ERA.
— Wire services