BASEBALL ROUNDUP \ News and notes

Dodgers: Ned Colletti was hired as general manager to replace the fired Paul DePodesta. Colletti has been an assistant GM with the Giants since 1997. He beat out Dodgers assistant general manager Kim Ng, who was trying to become the first woman in major league history to be hired as a GM. Ng and Colletti were thought to be the only candidates to interview for the job. Former Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians GM John Hart withdrew Monday as a candidate. Dodgers spokeswoman Camille Johnston confirmed the hiring of Colletti, who has served under Giants general manager Brian Sabean for the past nine years.
Umpires: Baseball tried to give five umpires more than $1.9 million in back pay Tuesday, but they instructed their banks to refuse the payments, according to their lawyer. More than six years after a failed mass resignation led to a lawsuit that went all the way to the Supreme Court, the umpires and the commissioner's office are still fighting over an additional $718,817 in interest. Major League Baseball attempted to pay $525,607 to Joe West, $439,248 to Bill Hohn, $379,095 to Gary Darling, $301,453 to Larry Poncino and $297,162 to Larry Vanover. The money was to cover lost salary and bonuses for 1999, 2000 and 2001 plus medical expenses, with a credit taken by management for $122,072 in estimated earnings by the five during that period. Management also made a $47,422 pension contribution for Poncino and a $42,368 contribution for Vanover.
Devil Rays: Joe Maddon was introduced as the fourth manager in team history, ending a six-week search for Lou Piniella's replacement. The long-time Los Angeles Angels bench coach signed a two-year contract that includes club options for the 2008 and 2009 seasons.
Around the horn: Pitcher Josh Towers and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a $5.2 million, two-year contract. ... Hideki Matsui and the Yankees closed in on a four-year contract worth about $52 million that will keep the outfielder in New York. The Yankees also exercised their $1.5 million option on reliever Tanyon Sturtze rather than paying a $150,000 buyout. ... Former Tigers manager Larry Parrish will return to Triple-A Toledo, where he guided the Mud Hens to an 89-55 record last season. ... Reds right-hander David Weathers had surgery Tuesday to repair a small tear in his right knee and is expected to recover in four weeks. ... The Mets declined their 2006 options on left-handers Felix Heredia and Kazuhisa Ishii. Heredia will get a $200,000 buyout instead of a $2.5 million salary. He is suspended for the first 10 days of next season after testing positive for a steroid. Ishii will receive a $2.2 million buyout rather than a $3.25 million salary.
Associated Press
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