Latest MLB Player News

"It's an honor to be considered for the job," Farrell said. "Especially for a team that I played for, my father played for and where there are so many people I know and respect. All those things considered, my desire is to fulfill the commitment between Boston and myself." There's some speculation that he's hoping to eventually take over for manager Terry Francona in Boston.

Boone made a brave return just five months after open-heart surgery this season, but isn't much of a baseball player at this point in his career. He batted just .154 in 26 at-bats near the end of '09 while navigating the Astros' farm system and didn't manage a hit in 13 at-bats once promoted to the major league level. As it stands, he's a .263/.326/.425 career hitter with 126 home runs and 555 RBI over 11 seasons.

Park threw a successful bullpen session on Monday and is already with the team in Los Angeles, so it appears he'll make the cut for the NLCS roster. That means someone has to be left off. Kendrick was not used during the Phillies' first-round matchup with the Rockies, and Myers has struggled mightily dating back to the end of the regular season. Final rosters for the best-of-seven series must be set on Wednesday.

"I've enjoyed my time here," Marquis said. "I would love to come back here. Obviously, they've seen how I can pitch in these conditions in this ballpark. The ball's in their court." The 31-year-old went 11-6 with a 3.65 ERA during the first half of the season but 4-7 with a 4.56 ERA after the break. He signed a three-year, $21 million deal the last time he was faced with free agency.

Kuorda has made great strides in his recovery from a herniated disk. Some projections have him starting Game 4 against the Phillies. "We see him as a starting pitcher and he obviously threw (Tuesday) so it won't be any time soon if he does make the roster," GM Ned Colletti said. "It will be the middle of the series." Kuroda had a 5-2 record and a 2.78 ERA after the All-Star break this season. The Dodgers' NLCS roster must be set on Wednesday.

Detroit closer Fernando Rodney, second baseman Placido Polanco, reliever Brandon Lyon and shortstop Adam Everett have the right to move on this winter and all of of them might do so. The Tigers had a $120 million payroll this season and suffered a "noticeable dip" in attendance, according to Dombrowski. Rodney, specifically, is coming off a career-high 37 saves and is likely to command a multi-year deal worth over $10 million a season.

Davis, a 2008 first-round pick, had a brutal pro debut last year and wasn't much better in the first month of this season, but he came on very strong after that and ended up hitting .309/.386/.565 in 207 at-bats following a promotion to Double-A Binghamton. For that reason, the Mets don't figure to look into bringing in a long-term first baseman this winter.

Kennedy is still eligible for the postseason after finishing the year on the major league roster, yet the Yankees sent him to the AFL not to keep him fresh but instead to get him some innings after a season in which he was limited to four starts in the minors and one relief appearance in the majors. He'll likely enter 2010 as their seventh or eighth starter.

It was the pro debut for the 2009 second-round pick out of Oklahoma State. Oliver has a great fastball for a southpaw, but he's going to need to come up with a slider and perfect his changeup in order to succeed in the majors.

Iglesias, a Cuban defector, received a $6 million bonus to sign with Boston this summer. Everyone seems to love his glove at shortstop, but the Red Sox were apparently a lot more optimistic about his bat than most. Just 19, he doesn't need to do anything offensively this fall to justify this deal. However, his stock could climb in a hurry.

Torre has guided the Dodgers to two consecutive NL West titles and National League Championship Series. The 69-year-old skipper has been involved with Major League Baseball in some capacity since 1960 -- close to 50 years -- and ranks 5th on the all-time managerial wins list.

Duncan publicly voiced displeasure with the higher-ups in the Cardinals organization earlier this year when his son, outfielder Chris Duncan, was traded to the Red Sox for Julio Lugo. That controversy led some in the St. Louis media to speculate that he might not return as pitching coach in 2010. "[Cards GM John Mozeliak] and I have talked about it," Duncan said Tuesday. "He’s tried to assure me I’ll have the opportunity to express my feelings and why I feel as I do. It’s not personal. It’s what’s in the best interest of the organization... My inclination is not to go somewhere else."

That includes bullpen coach Ron Romanick, bench coach Tye Waller, third base coach Mike Gallego, first base coach Todd Stevenson, hitting coach Jim Skaalen and pitching coach Curt Young, who is in his seventh season. Manager Bob Geren will also be back for his fourth year with the club.

Scioscia is doing his best Eric Mangini, even declining to confirm that John Lackey will start Game 1. The Angels' skipper did say that a left-hander -- either Joe Saunders or Scott Kazmir -- would most likely start one of the two opening games at Yankee Stadium, so Jered Weaver should get his favorable matchup at home in Game 3. Weaver was 9-3 with a 2.90 ERA over 17 starts at Angels Stadium this season. True to form, he allowed just two hits over 7 1/3 innings in a 4-1 home win over the Red Sox during the ALDS.

"I think that's a big step," Duncan said, about La Russa's possible return. "I want to wait and see what Tony does before I make a decision." The contracts of Duncan and La Russa are expiring after their NLDS loss to the Dodgers. Duncan said a meeting with owner Bill DeWitt, general manager John Mozeliak and the field staff was "very positive."

The surgery was performed by Dr. Marc Philippon in Colorado. MacDougal is slated to begin a throwing program in six to eight weeks and should be ready by spring training. The righty found success with the Nationals, posting a 3.60 ERA and 20 saves in 21 opportunities, however his 1.52 WHIP and 30/30 K/BB ratio indicates it was likely built on a house of cards. If the Nats choose to bring him back, he would cost over $3 million in arbitration.

Games 2, 4 and 5, if necessary, will also start at 7:57 PM ET. Meanwhile Games 3 and 6 (if necessary) will begin at 4:13 PM ET. A potential Game 7 would start at 8:20 PM ET. All ALCS games will be televised on FOX.

Game 2 will start at 4:37 PM ET. All other games will start at 8:07 PM ET. All NCLS games will be televised on TBS.

The Orioles have not named a replacement. Rick Kranitz will return as pitching coach, as will hitting coach Terry Crowley, first base coach John Shelby, third base coach Juan Samuel and bullpen coach Alan Dunn.

In emergency duty, Alfonzo batted a lousy .175/.197/.254 with two homers and eight RBI in 114 at-bats this season. The 30-year-old backstop threw out 37.5% of baserunners (9-for-24) over 255 innings behind the plate in 2009.