Houston Astros to renovate center field, remove Tal’s Hill

The Astros have announced plans for a proposed renovation of center field at Minute Maid Park that would remove Tal’s Hill and shorten the distance in center field from 436 feet to 409 feet.

Houston’s center field is currently the deepest in the majors, and the $15 million renovation would make it the sixth-deepest in the league.

Tal’s Hill, a tribute to Cincinnati’s Crosley Field and other old ballparks, is named after former longtime team executive Tal Smith. Removing it and bringing in the fences in center field allows the Astros to add three new bars, four food locations and the first field-level seating area at Minute Maid Park.

The renovations will begin at the end of this season and are to be completed by the start of next season.

Mattingly, Price, Hinch, McClendon will be All-Star coaches

The Dodgers’ Don Mattingly and Cincinnati’s Bryan Price have been picked as All-Star coaches by NL manager Bruce Bochy of the World Series champion San Francisco Giants. Houston’s A.J. Hinch and Seattle’s Lloyd McClendon were selected for the July 14 game in Cincinnati by AL manager Ned Yost of Kansas City, Major League Baseball said Thursday.

Giants visit Obama

For the third time in five years, the San Francisco Giants made the traditional trip to the White House so the president could honor the World Series victors. With Hall of Famers Willie Mays and Monte Irvin at his side, President Barack Obama congratulated the team and highlighted Madison Bumgarner’s postseason performance. Bumgarner was the most valuable player in both the National League Championship Series and the World Series.

Etc.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have placed right-hander Archie Bradley on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder tendinitis and recalled left-hander Robbie Ray from Triple-A Reno. ... Nationals activated infielder Anthony Rendon from the disabled list. The 24-year-old missed the first 53 games while recovering from a left knee sprain and then a left oblique strain.... Yankees catcher Brian McCann was listed as day to day by the team due to soreness in his right foot. ... Injured Royals pitchers Kris Medlen and Danny Duffy threw three innings apiece in a simulated game, and both said everything went according to plan. ... The Tigers have optioned outfielder Daniel Fields to Triple-A Toledo after an eventful major league debut. Fields struck out twice and made an error, but he also doubled in the ninth for his first hit and scored. ... The Red Sox added newly acquired outfielder Alejandro De Aza to the roster. The 31-year old De Aza was acquired Wednesday from the Baltimore Orioles for a minor league pitcher and cash. De Aza appeared in 30 games for the Orioles, batting .214 with three homers and seven RBIs.