Rockies hire Bud Black as manager

Bud Black is taking his pitching expertise to hitter-friendly Coors Field.

The highly regarded mound guru has been hired as manager of the Colorado Rockies, a person with knowledge of the situation told the Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday night because the move had not yet been announced.

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 managed the San Diego Padres for nearly nine seasons before he was fired in June 2015. He compiled a 649-713 record and was voted NL Manager of the Year in 2010 after the Padres went 90-72, their most wins since a franchise-record 98 in 1998.

Washington nearly hired Black last year before contract talks broke down and the Nationals gave the job to Dusty Baker.

After a major league career that spanned 15 seasons on the mound, Black became a respected pitching coach for the Angels. He brings a wealth of experience to a team that’s long struggled to get outs in Denver’s thin air a mile above sea level.

Colorado had a 4.91 ERA this past season, tied with Cincinnati for 13th out of 15 National League teams. Arizona (5.09) was the only club that was worse.

Etc.

The Chicago Cubs declined Jason Hammel’s $12 million option for next season, opening a spot in their rotation and making the right-hander one of the top starters on the free-agent market. The World Series champions announced the move Sunday. Hammel gets a $2-million buyout. The 34-year-old Hammel went 15-10 with a 3.83 ERA in 30 starts this year. The 6-foot-6 right-hander is 33-22 with a 3.59 ERA in 78 starts over two stints with the Cubs. Hammel did not pitch in the postseason. The Cubs got left-hander Mike Montgomery in a July trade with Seattle, and he could replace Hammel in the rotation. …

The Royals have declined their $7-million option on Luke Hochevar, the right-hander whose season was cut short by surgery in August to relieve numbness caused by thoracic outlet syndrome. Hochevar received a $500,000 buyout Saturday. He is eligible to sign anywhere beginning Tuesday. The 33-year-old Hochevar missed the 2014 season after Tommy John surgery, but was instrumental in their World Series victory the following year. He was 2-3 with a 3.86 ERA in 40 appearances this season. … Erik Neander has been promoted to senior vice president of baseball operations and general manager of the Tampa Bay Rays under Matt Silverman. Neander, 33, will oversee player evaluation and procurement. Chaim Bloom, also 33, will serve alongside Neander in an expanded role as senior vice president of baseball operations. Both had been vice presidents.