MLB notes: Rockies bring in Mike Redmond as bench coach

DENVER – The Colorado Rockies have brought in Mike Redmond to serve as the bench coach on new manager Bud Black’s staff.

The 45-year-old Redmond, who played at Gonzaga Prep and Gonzaga, was the manager of the Miami Marlins from 2013-15, where he compiled a 155-207 record.

Redmond is a former major league catcher who spent parts of 13 seasons with the Marlins, Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians. He was on the Marlins squad that won a World Series title in 2003.

This was the first hire under Black, who was officially announced as the Rockies’ skipper on Nov. 7.

Black said that Redmond “brings a lot of intensity and a strong work ethic, and as a great communicator he is able to connect well with players.”

Astros, Charlie Morton agree to $14 million, 2-year deal

HOUSTON – Right-hander Charlie Morton agreed to a contract with Houston on Wednesday, giving the Astros two of the best groundball pitchers in the majors.

Morton accepted a $14 million, two-year deal that includes annual salaries of $7 million and performance bonuses of $625,000 apiece for 12, 20, 25 and 30 starts each season.

Morton, who ranks second in the majors among active pitchers in career groundball to fly ball ratio (2.48), joins a staff that features last year’s American League Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel, a lefty who leads the league in that category (2.84).

Morton made just four starts last season for the Phillies before a torn left hamstring which required surgery ended his year. It was the fourth surgery Morton has had in recent years including Tommy John surgery in 2012. But he said Wednesday that he’s healthy now and has thrown six bullpen sessions since recovering from his hamstring injury, including three where he threw more than 50 pitches.

The 33-year-old Morton has spent his entire nine-year career in the National League where he played for the Braves, Pirates and Phillies.