MILWAUKEE — Ken Macha was hired Thursday as manager of the Milwaukee Brewers, taking over after the team’s first postseason appearance since 1982.
Macha, who managed the Oakland Athletics to AL West titles in 2003 and 2006, agreed to a two- year contract. He replaces Dale Sveum, who became interim manager when Ned Yost was fired with 12 games left in the regular season.
Macha, 58, led Oakland to a 368-260 record. He was fired two days after the Athletics were swept by the Detroit Tigers in the 2006 AL Championship Series.
• Manny Ramirez, Mark Teixeira and Ben Sheets were among 65 players who filed for free agency on the first possible day. Thursday began a 15-day window in which about 180 players can become free agents.
The Tigers declined an $11 million option on shortstop Edgar Renteria, choosing to give him a $3 million buyout, while New York Mets outfielder Fernando Tatis agreed to a $1.7 million, one-year contract.
• The Florida Marlins traded power-hitting first baseman Mike Jacobs to the Kansas City Royals for relief pitcher Leo Nuñez.
Hansbrough sidelined
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina center Tyler Hansbrough is out of practice indefinitely with a stress reaction condition in his right shin.
The school issued a statement saying there is no timetable for his return. Hansbrough played in all 108 games during his previous three seasons at North Carolina and has two weeks to heal before the Nov. 15 season opener against Pennsylvania if he is to keep that streak intact.
• The NCAA’s board of directors passed emergency legislation that prevents basketball coaches from holding opening night festivities earlier than the governing body’s normal start date.
Alfredsson signs four-year deal
SUNRISE, Fla. — The Ottawa Senators re-signed captain Daniel Alfredsson to a four-year contact worth $22 million, according to the Ottawa Sun.
• Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin remains out of the lineup while visiting his ailing grandfather, but defenseman Tom Poti returned to practice after sitting out two weeks with a groin injury.
• The Nashville Predators acquired forward Hugh Jessiman from the New York Rangers and defenseman Tim Ramholt from the Philadelphia Flyers. The Predators sent forward Josh Gratton to the Flyers, while the Rangers get future considerations for Jessiman.
• Atlanta Thrashers defenseman Zach Bogosian, the No. 3 overall pick in this year’s draft, will be out indefinitely with a broken left leg.
Footnotes.
Jacques Rogge formally announced his candidacy for another term as IOC president. No one is expected to challenge Rogge, 66, at the International Olympic Committee’s assembly in October 2009, making his re-election for a final four- year term through 2014 a formality.
• New Mexico racing officials said the winner of last month’s All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs has tested positive for caffeine. That would jeopardize the $1 million purse won by the owner of Stolis Winner if the finding is upheld. The Associated Press
