Struggling San Diego fires manager
Bud Black understood full well the expectations to win now with his remade, star-studded roster — and with a new front office, too.
In his ninth season, Black’s time is up after the Padres fired him Monday with San Diego sitting in third place in the loaded NL West at 32-33. The Padres never reached the playoffs during Black’s tenure after he took over when Bruce Bochy departed to manage the San Francisco Giants in 2007.
The Padres said they would immediately begin a search for an interim manager for the remainder of the season. Former Padres outfielder and current bench coach Dave Roberts was set to manage San Diego as it hosted the Athletics for a two-game series at Petco Park starting Monday night before going to Oakland for two games.
Black inherited an entire new outfield during the club’s offseason overhaul, one Matt Kemp called the best outfield in baseball.
All three came in trades during general manager A.J. Preller’s winter frenzy. All three within 48 hours: Kemp in a deal with the reigning NL West champion Dodgers, 2013 AL Rookie of the Year Wil Myers from the Rays and Justin Upton swapped by Atlanta.
Preller also traded for All-Star catcher Derek Norris in a deal with Oakland then punctuated his productive winter by bringing in free agent pitcher James Shields on a $75 million, four-year deal.
Black, 57, has a 649-713 managerial record after pitching parts of 15 major league seasons. He was named 2010 National League manager of the year after leading the Padres to 90-72 record, the most wins by San Diego since a franchise-record 98 in 1998.
The Padres haven’t had a winning season since then and last year finished 18 games behind Los Angeles in the NL West.
Royals dominate All-Star voting
Eight players from the AL champion Kansas City Royals are now on track to start at the July 14 All-Star game in Cincinnati, with Omar Infante overtaking Houston’s Jose Altuve at second base.
Catcher Salvador Perez, first baseman Eric Hosmer, shortstop Alcides Escobar, third baseman Mike Moustakas and designated hitter Kendrys Morales maintained their leads in voting totals released Monday. Lorenzo Cain was first among AL outfielders, with teammate Alex Gordon third, behind AL MVP Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels.
Major League Baseball said the record for most starters from one team is held by the 1939 New York Yankees with six.
Wright could return by break
Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said it’s a “realistic possibility” third baseman David Wright (back) could rejoin the team around the All-Star break.
Wright has been on the disabled list since April 15 and is currently participating in physical therapy and rehab with doctors in California. He was recently diagnosed with spinal stenosis.