BASEBALL ROUNDUP : Cubs, Padres, Reds Make Decisions on Managers

The Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres hired new managers on Friday, and the Cincinnati Reds retained Davey Johnson.

Jim Riggleman, manager of the Padres the last two-plus seasons, joined the Cubs, teaming with old friend Ed Lynch in a new management team aimed at reinvigorating the struggling club.

In the past six weeks, the Cubs have hired a president, general manager and field manager.

Bruce Bochy, third base coach of the Padres the last two seasons, was elevated to manager to replace Riggleman.

Bochy, 39, takes over a club that was 47-70 during the strike-shortened 1994 season, the worst record in major league baseball.

Johnson, who had the Reds in first place when the players’ strike stopped the season in August, will return as manager in 1995 and then move into the front office for 1996.

Johnson signed a two-year contract extension. In 1996, he will be a special assistant to General Manager Jim Bowden.

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The Major League Players Assn. filed a grievance in an attempt to gain free agency for 11 players, including pitcher Jim Abbott of the New York Yankees.

But lawyer Chuck O’Connor of the owners’ Player Relations Committee said the players forfeited the right because of lost service time during the strike.

The players’ union insists that the 11 players are being improperly denied their 52 days of service time. Even though the players were on strike, union officials said, they still were on active major league rosters.

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Dodger center fielder Brett Butler was one of 16 players to file for free agency on Friday.