MLB notes: Carlos Beltran interviews with Yankees for manager’s job

Carlos Beltran interviewed to become manager of the New York Yankees, four weeks after the final game of his 20-year major league career.

The 40-year-old Beltran was a nine-time All-Star and played for the Yankees from 2014-16. While he does not have any managerial experience, he mentored young teammates during his final seasons as a player, when he often was a designated hitter.

Beltran won his first World Series title with Houston this season, and Astros manager A.J. Hinch credited Beltran’s clubhouse presence with steadying the team during its seven-game win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Beltran met with team officials Wednesday at Yankee Stadium.

Yankees bench coach Rob Thomson, former Cleveland and Seattle manager Eric Wedge, San Francisco bench coach Hensley Meulens, former big league third baseman Aaron Boone and Dodgers third base coach Chris Woodward previously interviewed.

Etc.

The Toronto Blue Jays plan to honor the life and career of former star Roy Halladay in a ceremony before their season opener against the New York Yankees on March 29. Halladay died Nov. 7 at age 40 when the private plane he was piloting crashed into the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida. The two-time Cy Young Award winner played for the Blue Jays from 1998-2009 and for Philadelphia from 2009-13, going 203-105 with a 3.38 ERA. He pitched a perfect game and a post-season no-hitter while with the Phillies. …

Outfielder Jake Smolinski agreed to a $775,000, one-year contract with the Oakland Athletics. Smolinski missed almost the entire season following right shoulder surgery before returning to play in 16 games. … Free agent right-hander Doug Fister has finalized a $4-million deal with the Texas Rangers that could be worth up to $11.5 million over two seasons. Fister started 15 of his 18 games for Boston last season and went 5-9 with a 4.88 ERA. …