Total of 131 MLB Players Become Free Agents

A total of 131 Major League Baseball players became free agents Thursday. Among the most notable were Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon and Houston Astros pitcher Gerrit Cole. Nationals’ pitcher Stephen Strasburg could join them in the next few days if he opts out of his contract.

Royals Hire Matheny as Manager

The Kansas City Royals have hired Mike Matheny as their next manager. Matheny previously managed the St. Louis Cardinals for six seasons, winning one NL pennant, before joining the Royals as a special adviser to GM Dayton Moore last offseason.