Indians complete Hulett’s staff

Baseball: The Texas Rangers have finalized the Spokane Indians’ coaching staff with the hires of former MLB hitting coach Rick Down and long-time minor leaguer Salomon Manriquez.

Down will serve as Spokane’s hitting coach and Manriquez will hold the title of assistant coach.

Down and Manriquez will be joining Tim Hulett’s staff, as the Indians manager will begin his eighth season with the team.

Also on staff are former Spokane Indians player Jose Jaimes (pitching coach), Zach Jones (trainer) and six-time returnee Ed Yong (strength and conditioning coach).

Seahawks’ Irvin has hip surgery

NFL: Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin has undergone hip surgery, but the team has no timetable on his return.

A team spokesman confirmed Irvin’s surgery on Monday but had no details of what the surgery repaired.

Irvin started all 12 games last season after serving a four-game suspension at the start. The former first-round pick had 40 tackles, two sacks and an interception while making the transition from defensive end to outside linebacker. Irvin started Seattle’s first two playoff games but did not start in the Super Bowl. – AP

Noah, George lead defensive team

NBA: Chicago’s Joakim Noah and Indiana’s Paul George received the most votes on this year’s NBA all-defensive team, released Monday.

Less than two months after a landslide victory in balloting for the league’s defensive player of the year, Noah was the only player to receive more than 100 first-team votes and earn more than 200 points for the team.

Noah received 105 of 123 possible votes, while George had 65 votes.

The rest of the first team was Clippers guard Chris Paul, Oklahoma City forward Serge Ibaka and Golden State swingman Andre Iguodala. – AP