Ryne Sandberg resigns as manager of the Philadelphia Phillies

Ryne Sandberg’s managerial stint with the Philadelphia Phillies is over.

Burdened by baseball’s worst record, Sandberg resigned as manager of the Phillies on Friday after posting a 119-159 mark over parts of three seasons with the franchise. The Phillies enter Friday’s game against the Washington Nationals with a 26-48 record -- 14 1/2 games out of first place in the NL East.

“With some changes at the top looming, I did not want to be in the way of anything happening and progress going forward,” an emotional Sandberg said while meeting with reporters. “Wins and losses was a big thing that took a toll on me.”

Sandberg, 55, took over the Phillies in September 2013 and guided the team to a 73-89 record in 2014, which was his only full season with the club.

The Phillies announced third base coach Pete Mackanin will take over as interim manager.

Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005 after a decorated playing career with the Phillies and Chicago Cubs, Sandberg was trying to establish himself as a team skipper in his first MLB managerial job.

“Managing a team is very challenging,” Sandberg said. “I enjoyed the challenge. I enjoyed coming to the ballpark every day. I had excellent work from my coaching staff. The goal was to get the most out of my players.”

Etc.

Minnesota put rookie center fielder Byron Buxton on the 15-day disabled list because of a sprained left thumb, an injury that will sideline one of baseball’s top prospects for at least a month. . . . San Francisco reliever Jeremy Affeldt went on the DL because of a left-shoulder strain. . . . Washington infielder Anthony Rendon, who missed the season’s first two months with knee and oblique injuries, returned to the DL with a left quadriceps strain. . . . Houston put reliever Chad Qualls on the DL because of a pinched nerve in his neck and recalled first baseman Jon Singleton. . . . Toronto activated rookie second baseman Devon Travis, who missed nearly six weeks with a shoulder injury.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.