Buddy Bell chose family over baseball on Wednesday, resigning as the Kansas City Royals’ manager effective at the end of the season.
An emotional Bell, who will turn 56 on Aug. 27, announced the decision before Kansas City’s game against the Minnesota Twins. He will join the Royals’ front office in 2008 as a senior adviser to general manager Dayton Moore.
“I had to make a choice between managing and my family,” Bell said, “and to me that’s a no-brainer.”
Health concerns also played a part in Bell’s decision. Last September, he had surgery to remove a cancerous growth in his throat.
Before becoming the Royals’ 14th manager on May 31, 2005, Bell managed the Detroit Tigers from 1996-98 and the Rockies from 2000-02.
Kansas City placed injured outfielder Reggie Sanders on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring injury and recalled outfielder Joey Gathright from Triple-A Omaha.
Kansas City also recalled reliever Ryan Braun and optioned right-hander Leo Nuñez back to the minors despite tossing six shutout innings against Texas on Sunday.
Red Sox: Curt Schilling is set to make his first start for Boston in more than six weeks against the Seattle Mariners on Sunday after recovering from tendinitis in his right shoulder.
Schilling pitched seven shutout innings in his third rehab start Tuesday night for Triple-A Pawtucket at Columbus.
Boston could open the 2008 season at the Tokyo Dome.
The Los Angeles Angels and Oakland Athletics are the most likely opponent, with the Seattle Mariners also a possibility.
Rangers: Sammy Sosa was told in a closed-door meeting that his playing time will be cut, a day after the team traded away two other established stars.
Indians: Left-hander Aaron Fultz was activated from the 15-day DL by the team, which designated right-hander Fernando Cabrera for assignment.
Nationals: Washington right- hander Jason Simontacchi wants a second opinion on his ailing right elbow before getting a second cortisone shot.
Cardinals: St. Louis optioned outfielder Skip Schumaker to Triple-A Memphis, creating a roster spot for newly acquired pitcher Joel Piñeiro.
Pirates: Third baseman Jose Bautista was activated off the DL after being out for 2 1/2 weeks with a cut on his left hand.
Braves: Atlanta cleared roster spots for newly acquired relievers Octavio Dotel and Ron Mahay by cutting first baseman Julio Franco and demoting right- hander Jose Ascanio.
Marlins: Florida right-hander Anibal Sanchez wants big- league pay while he’s on the DL with a shoulder injury, and the Major League Baseball Players Association has filed a grievance on his behalf.
Brewers: Milwaukee sent slumping second baseman Rickie Weeks to the team’s Triple-A farm club in Nashville.
Also, right-hander Scott Linebrink was placed on leave after the birth of his first child and pitcher Elmer Dessens was recalled from his rehabilitation assignment at Nashville.
Cubs: Pitcher Kerry Wood’s long path back to the majors will reach Wrigley Field this week when he is activated by the team, probably Friday.
Phillies: Philadelphia activated outfielder Jayson Werth from the 15-day DL.
