Baseball notebook: D-Backs fire manager, GM
The Arizona Diamondbacks fired manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Josh Byrnes on Thursday night.
Arizona was 31-48 and in last place in the N.L. West, 151/2 games back of San Diego entering Thursday’s games.
Hinch was hired May 7, 2009. Despite having no managerial experience at any level, he was moved from the front office to manager following the firing of Bob Melvin.
Diamondbacks bench coach and ex-major league slugger Kirk Gibson will be the interim manager.
Former major league pitcher Jerry DiPoto, vice president for player development, will take over the GM duties on an interim basis.
Hinch’s contract runs through 2012 and Byrnes’ runs thorough 2015.
Hinch is the fourth manager to lose his job this season. Florida’s Fredi Gonzalez, Baltimore’s Dave Trembley and Kansas City’s Trey Hillman have also been fired.
Phillies’ Utley out
at least 8 weeks
Phillies second baseman Chase Utley will be out at least eight weeks after having surgery on his injured right thumb, a major setback for the two-time defending N.L. champions. He isn’t expected to return until the September stretch drive.
The operation to repair a ligament that was partially detached from the bone was performed Thursday, three days after he was injured trying to stretch a single into a double.
Utley must wear a splint on the thumb for five weeks before he begins rehabilitation.
Rangers, creditors
get more time
A decision on the Texas Rangers’ bankruptcy plan to repay creditors and sell the team was delayed again, giving more mediation time for the club and its angry lenders.
The ruling delays the July 9 hearing until July 22 “in order to allow as much time as possible for the parties to reach an accord,” according to the court order to which all parties agreed.
Clearing the bases
The Rangers acquired catcher Bengie Molina from the Giants for reliever Chris Ray and a minor league pitcher. … The Red Sox acquired catcher Kevin Cash from the Astros for infielder Angel Sanchez. … Luke Scott (strained hamstring) was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Orioles, who recalled infielder Josh Bell from Triple-A Norfolk. … Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has been suspended for one game for making contact with an umpire Tuesday.