SEATTLE -- The Seattle Mariners fired general manager Jack Zduriencik on Friday after seven disappointing seasons during which the club failed to end its playoff drought.
Team President Kevin Mather announced the decision to fire Zduriencik, with assistant general manager Jeff Kingston taking over on an interim basis. Kingston joined the Mariners front office in 2009 after spending seven years as the director of baseball operations with San Diego.
"We have reached the point when change of leadership of our baseball operations is needed for the Seattle Mariners to reach our goal of winning championships," Mather said in a statement. "We are very disappointed with the results this season, and are not satisfied with the current operation. The search for a permanent general manager will begin immediately, and while there is no deadline, we expect to have a new GM in place as soon as practical."
Zduriencik came to Seattle before the 2009 season, arriving from Milwaukee as one of the top talent evaluators in baseball and with the task of rebuilding a thin farm system while putting a winning product on the field at the major league level.
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 playoff drought that extends to 2001, but instead the club has floundered and began Friday 10 games under .500 and 12 games behind Houston in the AL West.
ROYALS
Closer has stiff elbow
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- A day after Royals closer Greg Holland gave up two runs in his first appearance in five days, Manager Ned Yost indicated Holland is still batting stiffness in his right elbow.
The condition manifested in reduced velocity, with his fastball clocking as low as 90 mph, at the start of his outing against Baltimore. Holland saw his ERA rise to 3.92, which is the highest of any regular member of the bullpen.
Yost continues to express confidence in Holland, an All-Star in 2013 and 2014, despite admitting there is little the coaching staff can do to improve Holland's condition.
"Like yesterday, when he went out, the first three hitters, he struggled to get loose," Yost said before Friday's series opener. "And then after he got loose, he was back to where he needed to be. It's just dealing with the ups and downs of the season."
With his fastball velocity decreasing, Holland has had less success tricking hitters into chasing his offspeed pitches. In the process he has become one of the most walk-prone hitters in baseball.
INDIANS
Francona: Won't use out
CLEVELAND -- Indians Manager Terry Francona said Friday he won't use an out clause in his contract if Cleveland President Mark Shapiro takes a job elsewhere.
Shapiro reportedly is a candidate to succeed Toronto Blue Jays President Paul Beeston, who plans to retire after this season. Shapiro has declined to comment on the report. Francona said last week Shapiro had made him aware of the situation, which reportedly will be resolved in the next few days.
Francona signed following the 2012 season to manage the Indians because of his close relationship with Shapiro and General Manager Chris Antonetti. Francona said he asked for the out clause in the event Shapiro and/or Antonetti were no longer with the club.
Francona signed a contract extension following last season through 2018 with team options for 2019 and 2020.
"I came here because of Mark and Chris, that's what originally brought me here," Francona said. "Because of that, I guess I wanted a little protection. I don't know if that's the right word, just in case the organization decided to go a different way."
Shapiro has worked in Cleveland's front office since 1992. He was general manager for nine seasons before being elevated to team president in 2010.
ORIOLES
CF Jones back in lineup
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Baltimore center fielder Adam Jones was in the starting lineup Friday night, a day after he ran into a wall and exited early.
Jones was examined before the game at Texas by Rangers team doctor Keith Meister. Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Jones passed all of the exams, including a concussion test.
Jones was hurt Thursday while chasing a fly ball in Kansas City in the first inning. The five-time All-Star left in the third.
Jones is hitting .280 with 24 home runs and 66 RBI.
ASTROS/TWINS
Rookie showdown delayed
MINNEAPOLIS -- A showdown between two of the top rookies in the American League will have to wait.
Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa and Minnesota Twins slugger Miguel Sano were both scratched from the series opener on Friday night because of hamstring injuries.
Correa missed his second consecutive game with a strained left hamstring. Astros Manager A.J. Hinch says Correa was still a little bit sore after an off-day Thursday. With a five-game lead in the AL West, Hinch says he wasn't hesitating to play it safe with his young star to avoid any long-term issues.
Twins Manager Paul Molitor said Sano has been bothered by a sore right hamstring for a few days. Molitor said he hopes Sano will return as a DH today.
NATIONALS
Span surgery Tuesday
WASHINGTON -- Nationals center fielder Denard Span will have surgery on his left hip next week and the leadoff man is likely out for the season.
Washington Manager Matt Williams said Friday that Span had problems in the labrum. The surgery is set for Tuesday.
"He's got some damage in there that needs to get fixed," Williams said.
Span, 31, already has missed 52 games in two stints on the disabled list with back and abdominal ailments. The Nationals began the day 6 1/2 games behind the New York Mets in the NL East.
Span had just returned from the DL to play on Tuesday and Wednesday night, but was held out Thursday. After the game, Williams said Span's back issues had resurfaced and could end his season.
Sports on 08/29/2015