MLB losing Brosnan

Tim Brosnan will leave Major League Baseball at the end of January after losing to Rob Manfred in the competition to succeed Bud Selig as commissioner. Brosnan, who joined MLB in 1991, is among six executive vice presidents serving under Selig and Manfred, who was promoted from EVP to chief operating officer in September 2013 after Selig announced his intention to leave in January 2015. In the August vote to replace Selig, the 56-yearold Brosnan was one of three candidates but withdrew just before the start of balloting when it became apparent he likely had just one vote. Manfred was elected MLB’s 10th commissioner over Boston Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner and will take over from Selig on Jan. 25.

Right-hander Luke Hochevar and the Kansas City Royals agreed to a $10 million, two-year deal that should give the defending American League champions even more firepower in their bullpen. Hochevar will make $4.5 million this season and $5.5 million for the 2016 season, a person familiar with the terms told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Hochevar must pass a physical to complete the agreement. Hochevar missed last season after Tommy John surgery.

The Seattle Mariners have traded outfielder Michael Saunders to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for veteran left-handed pitcher

J.A. Happ. The deal was completed Wednesday. Toronto expects Saunders to immediately slot in as its left-fielder, potentially taking the Blue Jays out of the running for re-signing outfielder Melky

Cabrera. Happ should be an option for Seattle’s rotation with veteran Chris Young a free agent. But Happ has thrown out of the bullpen in the past. Saunders appeared in 78 games and hit .273 with eight home runs and 34 RBI for Seattle.