MLB Notes: Mariners fire general manager Jack Zduriencik

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SEATTLE -- The Seattle Mariners have fired general manager Jack Zduriencik after seven disappointing seasons during which the club failed to end its playoff drought.

Team President Kevin Mather announced the decision to fire Zduriencik on Friday. Assistant general manager Jeff Kingston will take over on an interim basis.

Zduriencik came to Seattle before the 2009 season, arriving from Milwaukee as one of the top talent evaluators in baseball. But Seattle missed too often both in player development through the draft and in free agency under Zduriencik's watch.

Seattle had just two winning seasons during Zduriencik's tenure. The Mariners entered this season expected to end a 14-year playoff drought, but instead the club has floundered and began Friday 10 games under .500 and 12 games behind Houston in the AL West (see full story).

Red Sox: Woman hit by foul ball sues Sox owner
BOSTON -- A fan struck by a foul ball that went behind home plate last year during a Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park has sued the team's principal owner.

Brookline, Massachusetts, resident Stephanie Taubin says in her lawsuit filed Wednesday against John Henry that she was above home plate in the EMC Club on June 17, 2014, when a ball came through an area usually protected by glass and hit her. The glass had been removed for renovations.

The suit says Taubin suffered facial fractures and neurological damage. She is seeking unspecified damages.

The Red Sox told The Boston Globe that the organization doesn't know the specifics of the suit and doesn't comment on pending litigation but that fan safety is a priority (see full story).

Indians: Salazar scratched from start
CLEVELAND -- The Indians have scratched Danny Salazar from his start against the Los Angeles Angels because of an unspecified illness.

Salazar was scheduled to start the series opener Friday night for the Indians, who despite inconsistency all season are just five games out of an AL wild-card spot. Trevor Bauer will move up one day and replace Salazar.

In his first full season in Cleveland's rotation, Salazar is 11-7 with a 3.30 ERA in 23 starts. Salazar allowed four runs in 4 2/3 innings in a loss to the New York Yankees last week.

Manager Terry Francona is expected to provide an update on Salazar during his pre-game availability later Friday.

Cleveland has won seven of its last nine home games, outscoring opponents 76-37. The Indians have at least 10 hits in nine straight home games, the first time they've done that since 1992.

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