Manny Machado sends his thanks to Dodgers, fans as free agency beckons  —  While Manny Machado was noncommittal as to his future after the Los Angeles Dodgers lost the World Series in five games, he may have shed insight into his thinking Wednesday when he took to Instagram.  —  EDITOR'S PICKS

Reds Hire Pitching Coach Derek Johnson Away From Brewers  —  4:57pm: MLB.com's Adam McCalvy tweets that Milwaukee general manager David Stearns has confirmed that Johnson is leaving the organization.  The Brewers had “extensive” negotiations in an effort to retain Johnson, Stearns said …

Red Sox Fan Recovering After Assault by Dodgers Fans  —  The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the case as an assault with a deadly weapon and a robbery  —  Red Sox Fan Attacked by Dodgers Fans  —  A Boston Red Sox fan is recovering after he was attacked by Dodgers fans …

Bill Fischer, who spent seven decades in pro baseball, dies at 88  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Former big league pitcher Bill Fischer, who spent more than seven decades as a player and coach in professional baseball, died Tuesday.  He was 88.  —  The Royals announced Fischer's death in a statement Wednesday.

Astros decline catcher Brian McCann's $15M option  —  HOUSTON — The Houston Astros have declined their $15 million club option for 2019 on catcher Brian McCann.  —  EDITOR'S PICKS  —  McCann spent the last two seasons with the Astros after a trade from the New York Yankees in November 2016.

Willie McCovey Passes Away  —  The Giants issued a heavy-hearted statement Wednesday, announcing that Hall of Famer and franchise icon Willie McCovey has passed away peacefully at the age of 80 “after losing his battle with ongoing health issues.”  —  “San Francisco and the entire baseball community lost …

Diamondbacks Name Darnell Coles Hitting Coach  —  The D-backs have announced that Darnell Coles, who recently stepped down as the Brewers' hitting coach, has been hired as the new hitting coach in Arizona.  He'll replace the recently dismissed Dave Magadan.

Mickey Callaway has ‘support’ of the Mets' new GM … The Mets' new general manager is intent on keeping the old manager.  —  Mickey Callaway will meet with new GM Brodie Van Wagenen this week, at which time he will be told he's still the Mets' field boss.

Column: As Cubs consider Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, the answer is simple: Neither  —  Chicago Tribune  —  As Dodgers slugger Manny Machado admired the longest single of the World Series in Game 3, he cost himself more than a double by dogging it down the first-base line.

Pirates To Decline Option Over Josh Harrison, Jung Ho Kang  —  The Pirates will decline their club option over infielder Josh Harrison, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (Twitter link).  Likewise, infielder Jung Ho Kang is heading to free agency, MLB.com's Adam Berry tweets.