Tigers announce rotation
Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland ended the speculation regarding his World Series rotation Thursday.
As for St. Louis, Tony La Russa would only say who’s starting Game 5 – beyond that, circumstances will decide.
Leyland, who refused to discuss his pitching plans beyond Game 4 starter Jeremy Bonderman after Wednesday’s rainout, said the order of his starters for the final three games would be Justin Verlander, Kenny Rogers and Nate Robertson. That ended the talk that Rogers, who threw eight scoreless innings in Game 2, might move up ahead of Verlander to Game 5 if the Tigers faced elimination.
La Russa settled on Jeff Weaver for Game 5 after sending both Weaver and rookie Anthony Reyes to the interview room Wednesday. Weaver would have been pitching on three days’ rest for the first time, but the Cardinals’ third rainout of the postseason removed that factor.
Beyond Game 5, the Cardinals will allow the results to dictate their choices. Reyes, who threw a light bullpen session, could be the Game 6 starter.
Mattingly gets promoted
Don Mattingly will take over as bench coach for the New York Yankees next season, replacing Lee Mazzilli, according to a newspaper report.
The move puts Mattingly one step closer to manager Joe Torre’s job, making him the favorite to take over when the long-time skipper leaves, according to the report, posted on Newsday’s Web site.
Bochy may be Giants’ man
San Diego manager Bruce Bochy met into the evening with Giants officials and apparently had emerged as the front-runner to become San Francisco’s new skipper. A team official said a news conference had been scheduled for today but did not say what would be announced.
“Bochy has agreed to replace Boston’s Terry Francona on an All-Star tour of Japan, major league officials said.
Francona withdrew because of a foot infection, three days after replacing Ken Macha as the team’s skipper. Macha was replaced after he was fired at Oakland.
Johnson has back surgery
Yankees pitcher Randy Johnson had surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back.
Dr. Michael Watkins operated on Johnson in Los Angeles. Watkins also operated on Johnson’s back 10 years ago.
The 43-year-old Johnson went 17-11 with a 5.00 ERA in 33 starts this season.
Devil Rays prospect dies
The body of Tampa Bay Devil Rays minor league pitcher Erik Walker, missing after his canoe capsized over the weekend on the New River in Virginia, was found.
“Edward F. Kenney Sr., the Boston Red Sox executive who ran the farm system when the team developed Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, Dwight Evans, Carlton Fisk and Jim Rice, died Wednesday in Braintree, Mass., the club said. He was 85.