Twins fire manager Molitor
The Twins fired manager Paul Molitor on Tuesday, one season after he was voted the American League Manager of the Year.
‘‘This wasn’t about our record this year,’’ Twins chief baseball officer Derek Falvey said. ‘‘This is about what we think is best as we continue to grow a young team in the direction toward being a championship contender.’’
Molitor, 62, was offered an undefined position in the baseball-operations department and is expected to remain in the organization.
‘‘I will forever be grateful for the opportunity they gave me to serve in the role as manager for these past four years,’’ Molitor said in a statement. ‘‘I’m going to consider their genuine offer to serve in a different capacity to positively impact the Twins from a different role.’’
The Twins went 305-343 under Molitor, but they finished 78-84 this season after going 85-77 and reaching the AL wild-card game in 2017.
A’s wild-card starter a reliever
Reliever Liam Hendriks will start for the Athletics in the AL wild-card game Wednesday against the Yankees in New York.
Hendriks (0-1, 4.13 ERA) cleared waivers after being designated for assignment in June and now will open the biggest game of the A’s season. He will be only the fourth pitcher to start a postseason game after not winning a game in the regular season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Hendriks made eight starts of 1‰ innings or less in September. He pitched seven scoreless innings in his last seven starts.
‘‘Instead of the starter going six [innings] and handing it over to the bullpen or going five and handing it over to the bullpen, now we’re just reversing it,’’ Hendriks said.
The Yankees will counter with ace Luis Severino (19-8, 3.39 ERA).
Indians’ Gomes ready to go . . .
Indians catcher Yan Gomes said he ‘‘absolutely’’ will play in Game 1 of the team’s AL Division Series on Friday against the Astros despite suffering a cut on his right thumb when he hit the bat of Royals outfielder Alex Gordon while trying to throw out a runner Saturday.
. . . but Braves’ Swanson isn’t
Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson didn’t take part in a light workout and appears to be a long shot to make the team’s roster for the NL Division Series against the Dodgers, which begins Thursday. Swanson partially tore a ligament in his left hand on a swing Sept. 2.
Rangers’ skipper update
Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said he expects to interview five to eight candidates in his search for a new manager. The team fired Jeff Banister with 10 games left in the regular season.
Attendance lowest since 2003
MLB said its average attendance dropped 4 percent to 28,830 this season, its lowest since 2003. The White Sox were among six teams who had their lowest attendance in their current stadiums.