Bench Coach

The Washington Nationals’ team plane arrived in Chicago on Thursday evening carrying baseball’s hottest team and its oddest situation. The Nationals have surged to their first winning record in June since 2005, their inaugural season, on the strength of 11 wins in 12 games. And for a while Thursday, the players had no earthly idea who would be managing them Friday against the Chicago White Sox. The situation became only slightly less murky by the end of the night. Following Jim Riggleman’s sudden resignation, the Nationals will use bench coach and former Seattle Mariners manager John McLaren as a short-term managerial replacement.

Orioles first base coach Eddie Murray interviewed yesterday for the Los Angeles Dodgers' managerial vacancy and bench coach Jeff Newman has been granted permission by the Orioles to interview next Tuesday for the Philadelphia Phillies' opening. The activity occurs at a time when the Orioles apparently are putting finishing touches on next years staff, including their annual change of pitching coaches. Murray interviewed last October to succeed Ray Miller as Orioles manager. When Mike Hargrove was named.

Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo is expected to make several decisions on the composition of his coaching staff as early as today, including likely announcing the return of longtime hitting coach Terry Crowley. Perlozzo and Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Mike Flanagan acknowledged that there will be some changes to the staff, but no final decisions had been made as of last night. "We're working through a bunch of different scenarios," said Flanagan. "Sammy has leeway with the staff.

The next phase of Sam Perlozzo's baseball career will take him back to Seattle and the third base coaching box. Perlozzo, fired as Orioles manager June 18, will coach third base for the Mariners as part of a revamped staff. He joins pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre, bench coach Jim Riggleman, first base coach Eddie Rodriguez and bullpen coach Norm Charlton as the newest additions. Mariners manager John McLaren reportedly offered the job to Larry Bowa - who instead followed former New York Yankees manager Joe Torre to the Los Angeles Dodgers - before turning to Perlozzo.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter interviewed former Pittsburgh Pirates manager John Russell on Friday for one of two vacant positions on his coaching staff, according to two industry sources. Russell, 49, could fit as Showalter's bench coach or third base coach, a position Russell held with the Pirates from 2003 to 2005 under then-manager Lloyd McClendon. Russell rejoined the Pirates in 2008 and served three seasons as manager before being fired at the end of this past season. He compiled a 186-299 record (.384 winning percentage)

BASEBALLAmerican League* New York Yankees -- Waived Chuck Cary (pitcher) for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release.* Toronto Blue Jays -- Announced they will not exercise the option on Mookie Wilson (outfielder). Released Cory Snyder (outfielder) outright. Assigned Nate Cromwell (pitcher) outright to Syracuse of the International League. Reinstated Dave Stieb, Ken Dayley and Al Leiter (pitchers) from the 60-day disabled list. Announced they will not offer arbitration to Dave Parker (designated hitter)

Orioles third base coach DeMarlo Hale will interview for the Boston Red Sox managerial job later this week, an industry source confirmed Monday.  Hale joined Buck Showalter's staff last offseason after the Red Sox fired former manager Terry Francona after Boston failed to make the postseason, a fate that was partially sealed because of the Orioles' win over the Red Sox at Camden Yards on the final day of the regular season in 2011. Before arriving in Baltimore, Hale was the Red Sox bench coach for the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

Orioles third-base coach DeMarlo Hale has been rumored to be a candidate for the Boston Red Sox managerial job now that Bobby Valentine has been fired. Hale, 51, spent six seasons on former Boston manager Terry Francona's staff, including two years as Francona's bench coach, before joining the Orioles this season. He said he hasn't heard anything from the Red Sox organization regarding the job and one industry source said there hadn't been a formal interview request for Hale yet. Hale said he'd have interest, but it's not something he is considering right now. “I'd have to think about it, no question, but right now my focus is this team, what we've accomplished so far and what is ahead of us,” Hale said.

The Chicago White Sox bought out Frank Thomas for $3.5 million yesterday, making the best slugger in team history eligible for free agency. Thomas, 37, exercised a $10 million mutual option for next season on Monday, giving the team five days to decide whether to exercise its half. The White Sox could try to re-sign the two-time American League Most Valuable Player for less money. "There should be no question about the respect this organization has for Frank and all that he has helped us accomplish, including a World Series championship," general manager Ken Williams said in a statement.

Mike Mussina became the oldest pitcher to win 20 games in a season for the first time, reaching the milestone on the final day of the season yesterday as the visiting New York Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox, 6-2, in a day-night doubleheader opener. The 39-year-old Mussina (20-9), finishing his 18th major league season, allowed three hits in six shutout innings. "It's been a long time," he said. "I've been close." Previously, the oldest first-time 20-game winner was Jamie Moyer, who was 38 when he went 20-6 for the Mariners in 2001.