Banister let go as Rangers manager
The Texas Rangers fired manager Jeff Banister on Friday after the team stumbled to its first consecutive losing records in 10 years after winning American League West titles in each of his first two seasons.
Texas announced the move with 10 games left in Banister’s fourth season, with general manager Jon Daniels saying the record was not the reason and that the team needed a “new voice from leadership.”
In a season when the focus turned to younger players’ development, the Rangers took a 64-88 record into Friday. Bench coach Don Wakamatsu will serve as interim manager for the rest of the season.
Banister, 54, went 325313 in his first managerial job. Texas lost to Toronto in the AL division series after their AL West titles in 2015 and 2016.
The Rangers were 88-74 in Banister’s managerial debut in 2015 and matched a team record with an Al-high 95 wins in 2016. They fell to 78-84 last season but weren’t eliminated from wildcard contention until the season’s final week.
Texas has seven position players age 25 or younger who have gotten at least 300 at-bats this season.
Mike Minor, who was a full-time reliever with Kansas City last year after missing two seasons because of injury, is the lone pitcher who began this season in the Rangers’ starting rotation and still is in it.
Astros: Right-hander Lance Mccullers Jr. (right forearm strain), out since Aug. 4, threw a simulated game Friday in Florida and could be activated from the disabled list by Monday, manager
A.J. Hinch said, noting Mccullers would be used as a reliever. Also, shortstop Carlos Correa (sore back), who missed seven weeks and has batted .174 in 34 games since returning, won’t play for the rest of Houston’s homestand, Hinch said.
Cubs: Shortstop Addison Russell was placed on administrative leave following fresh allegations of domestic violence by his former wife. A blog post Thursday attributed to Melisa Reidy accused Russell of years of physical and emotional abuse. Though Reidy declined to cooperate with investigators upon leveling accusations against Russell last year, MLB said new efforts would be made to get her to comply.
Tigers: Right-hander Michael Fulmer (torn meniscus in right knee) was placed on the 60-day disabled list to open a spot on the 40-man roster for infielder Harold Castro, whose contract was purchased from Triple-a Toledo. Also, designated hitter Victor Martinez, 39, who will retire after the season following a 16-year major league career, will play his final game Saturday.
Orioles: Manager Buck Showalter, whose contract will expire after the season, won’t be retained, USA Today reported, though general manager Dan Duquette, whose deal also runs out after the season, is expected to receive an extension. Baltimore entered Friday with an Mlb-worst 44-108 record.
Cardinals: Righthander Giovanny Gallegos, who has a 2.64 ERA, 57 strikeouts and 10 walks over 44 1/3 innings at the Triple-a level this season, was recalled from Memphis.