UNDATED (AP) — The Kansas City Royals have exercised their club option on Mike Matheny (muh-THEE’-nee) for the 2023 season. The move eliminates any uncertainty over whether their manager will remain with the club after the coming season. Matheny has gone 100-122 in two seasons with the Royals and is 691-596 as a major league skipper, including his seven years with St. Louis.
UNDATED (AP) — Major League Baseball has decided it will continue to use automatic runners in extra innings for the third straight season. MLB and the players’ association agreed to keep the controversial rule that starts each team with a runner on second base during extra innings. MLB is also expanding active rosters from 26 players to 28 from opening day on April 7 through May 1 this year, due to the delayed start of spring training.