Ex-Padres, D-backs GM Towers dies at 56

SAN DIEGO — Kevin Towers, whose 14-year tenure as general manager of the San Diego Padres included an appearance in the 1998 World Series, has died from complications of cancer. He was 56.

Friend and former agent Barry Axelrod said Towers died Tuesday at a hospital. Towers’ wife, Kelley, was at his side.

Towers, who also was GM of the Arizona Diamondbacks, was diagnosed with a rare form of thyroid cancer a little more than a year ago.

Axelrod said Towers was admitted to a hospital with fluid on his lungs a few days ago. Friends and family members thought he would be able to go home Tuesday.

DODGERS: Switch-pitcher Pat Venditte is among 22 nonroster players invited to spring training with Los Angeles.

The 32-year-old Venditte agreed to a minor league deal in November after he spent the 2017 season pitching for Triple-A Lehigh Valley in the Phillies’ organization.

He pitched in parts of two seasons in the major leagues with Oakland in 2015 and Toronto and Seattle in 2016. He has a 4.97 ERA in 41 career relief appearances in the big leagues.

ATHLETICS: The club will expand protective netting between the stands and the playing field to the far ends of both dugouts ahead of the 2018 season. Boston, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Colorado, Detroit, the New York Yankees, Milwaukee, Minnesota, San Diego, Seattle and Toronto are among teams to announce expanded netting this year.