Padres make Pat Murphy their manager for rest of season

The San Diego Padres picked triple-A Manager Pat Murphy to serve as the big league club’s interim manager for the rest of the season Tuesday, a day after firing Bud Black following a lackluster start.

The 56-year-old Murphy has been with the Padres’ organization since 2010 and has managed the Padres’ triple-A affiliate in El Paso the last three seasons.

“It’s definitely an opportunity that he’s earned,” said Padres General Manager A.J. Preller. “I think it’s a chance for him to go out, the team to go out, and show what he’s capable of.”

Murphy’s record with El Paso over the last three seasons is 180-172.

Rodriguez deadline on hold

Major League Baseball and the players’ association have stopped the clock on the deadline for Alex Rodriguez to file a grievance against the New York Yankees for not making a $6-million payment when he hit his 660th home run.

Rodriguez tied Willie Mays for fourth place on the career home run list on May 1, and baseball’s labor contract sets a 45-day deadline to file a grievance. MLB and the union said the deadline is on hold for as long as the two sides agree.

At the time Rodriguez and the Yankees signed their $275-million, 10-year contract in December 2007, they signed a separate marketing agreement that called for $6 million each for up to five milestone accomplishments.

The accomplishments were contemplated to be Rodriguez hitting home runs 660, 714, 755, 762 and 763. In exchange for each designation, Rodriguez would give the Yankees marketing rights, such as using Rodriguez’s name and image in selling licensed goods.

Following Rodriguez’s return this year from a season-long drug suspension, the Yankees said the decision to designate any historic achievements was at the team’s discretion and they would not designate any.

Etc.

Major League Commissioner Rob Manfred said management can order expanded netting to protect fans without bargaining over the matter with the players’ association. A fan at Fenway Park was injured and hospitalized after she was struck by a broken bat in seats along the third-base line on June 5. MLB is studying whether netting should be expanded. ... Milwaukee Brewers Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Uecker did not call the team’s game Tuesday against Kansas City after spending the night in a hospital as a precaution for a mild concussion. Uecker, 81, was hit in the head by a baseball during batting practice before Monday night’s game. ... Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen was optioned to Class-A Frederick (Md.) by the Baltimore Orioles, a move the pitcher claims left him “disappointed.” The move was made so the Orioles could select the contract of infielder Chris Parmelee from Triple-A Norfolk (Va.). ... Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Jerome Williams left Tuesday night’s game against the Orioles in the first inning with a strained left hamstring.