DENVER — The Colorado Rockies formally announced Bud Black as their manager Monday.
Black takes over for Walt Weiss, who stepped down last month when his contract expired after four years in charge of the Rockies. They finished 75-87 last season, their best record since 2010.
The 59-year-old Black was the manager of NL West rival San Diego for 8 seasons before being fired in June 2015. He compiled a 649-713 record and was voted NL Manager of the Year in 2010.
Black inherits a potent offense that includes a batting champion in DJ LeMahieu, sluggers Nolan Arenado and Carlos Gonzalez and rising star Trevor Story. Black also has a young but talented rotation led by Jon Gray.
Dodgers: Kazmir decides against free agency
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Pitcher Scott Kazmir has decided not to opt out of the final two seasons of his contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, choosing to keep $32 million in pay rather than become a free agent.
The 32-year-old left-hander was 10-6 with a 4.56 ERA in 26 starts after signing a $48 million, three-year contract. He missed a month starting in late August with neck inflammation, then cut short an outing after one inning because of chest spasms.
A three-time All-Star, Kazmir received a $5 million signing bonus from the Dodgers and an $11 million salary this year, of which $8 million was deferred until Dec. 15, 2019. He is owed $16 million in each of the next two seasons, with $8 million a year deferred, payable on Dec. 15 in 2020 and 2021.
MLB
Rangers: Arlington voters to decide on new stadium
ARLINGTON, Texas — The presidential showdown isn't the only contentious race on the minds of Arlington voters, who also must decide whether to approve public funding for a $1 billion retractable-roof stadium for the Texas Rangers.
Figuring that the larger turnout for the presidential election between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump would benefit a new stadium, city officials rushed to get the initiative on Tuesday's ballot, and observers say it could be close, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.
The new stadium would replace Globe Life Park, which opened in 1994. To pay for as much as half of the new stadium, voters are being asked to extend Arlington's half-cent sales tax, 2 percent hotel-occupancy tax and 5 percent car-rental tax. Arlington currently uses those revenues to pay down the remaining $155 million debt it owes for its share of the construction cost of the Dallas Cowboys' AT&T Stadium, which opened in 2009.
The vote also would allow for a maximum 10 percent admission tax and $3 parking tax for the Rangers' use, which opponents have criticized because the city legally could have used those taxes for its share. It approved the same deal for the Cowboys.