MLB notes: Pirates, Ivan Nova agree to $26M, 3-year deal

PITTSBURGH – A person with knowledge of the deal says pitcher Ivan Nova and the Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to a $26 million, three-year contract.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because the agreement had not been announced.

Pittsburgh acquired Nova from the New York Yankees at the Aug. 1 trade deadline. Though the Pirates faded down the stretch, Nova appeared rejuvenated while working with pitching coach Ray Searage. Nova went 5-2 with a 3.06 ERA in 11 starts for Pittsburgh, a significant improvement over his 7-6 record and 4.90 ERA in 21 starts with New York. Nova, who turns 30 in January, figures to pitch in the middle of Pittsburgh rotation behind ace Gerrit Cole.

Rockies promote Duane Espy to hitting coach

DENVER – The Colorado Rockies promoted Duane Espy to hitting coach, his second stint in the role for the team.

Espy was one of several coaches manager Bud Black announced Thursday in filling out his staff for 2017. The 64-year-old Espy spent last season as the hitting coordinator for the Rockies’ organization. He also was Colorado’s hitting coach from 2003-06 under Clint Hurdle.

In addition to Espy, Black added assistant hitting coach Jeff Salazar and first-base coach Tony Diaz. Last month, Black brought in Mike Redmond as his bench coach.

Others on Black’s staff include: pitching coach Steve Foster, bullpen coach Darren Holmes, third base coach Stu Cole and coach Ron Gideon, who will initially be working with Ian Desmond as the All-Star outfielder makes the transition to first base.

Former major league player Phil Gagliano dies at 74

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Phil Gagliano, who played for four different teams in a 12-year major league baseball career, has died. He was 74.

Sturla Canale, an owner of Canale Funeral Directors in Memphis, Tennessee, confirmed Thursday that Gagliano died Tuesday of cardiac arrest at his home in Branson, Missouri. Canale Funeral Directors is handling Gagliano’s funeral arrangements.

Gagliano played for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1963-70. He later played for the Chicago Cubs (1970), Boston Red Sox (1971-72) and Cincinnati Reds (1973-74). Gagliano batted .238 with 14 homers and 159 RBIs in 702 career games. He played in the 1967 and 1968 World Series with the Cardinals. Gagliano was a utility player who primarily played second base and third base.