Astros extend contract of Manager Brad Mills

The Houston Astros have exercised the 2012 option on the contract of Manager Brad Mills and added a club option for 2013.

The Astros went 76-86 in Mills’ first year as manager, including a terrible 17-34 start. But Houston went 59-52 after June 1 with a lineup that routinely included four rookies — and without Roy Oswalt ( Phillies) or Lance Berkman (Yankees), who left in trades.

General Manager Ed Wade said Friday that Mills has every quality needed to be a successful manager.

Mets to interview Sandy Alderson for GM opening

The New York Mets plan to interview baseball executive Sandy Alderson next week for their vacant general manager position.

The Mets already have said they will interview Rick Hahn, Allard Baird and Josh Byrnes as well.

A Mets spokesman says chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon spoke with Alderson on Friday. The two plan to speak again to set up a meeting.

The 62-year-old Alderson was the Oakland Athletics’ GM when they won the World Series in 1989. He currently is in charge of baseball’s efforts to reform operations in the Dominican Republic.

Hahn is an assistant GM with the White Sox. Baird is an assistant GM with Boston. Byrnes was fired as general manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 1.

The Mets fired GM Omar Minaya and manager Jerry Manuel on Monday.