Bayern Trupp » Angels manager Mike Scioscia

MIAMI -- Rafael Furcal will try to make his comeback from elbow surgery with the Miami Marlins. The free-agent infielder and the Marlins have agreed to terms on a contract, two people familiar with the situation said Thursday. Both people confirmed the deal to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it hadnt been finalized. In addition, one of the people said, catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia passed his physical, and his $21 million, three-year deal with Miami was completed. The 36-year-old Furcal, a three-time All-Star and the 2000 NL Rookie of the Year, sat out this season after undergoing elbow ligament-replacement surgery in March. He made the NL All-Star team as a starter at shortstop in 2012, when he batted .264 in 121 games for the Cardinals. Furcal is a 13-year veteran and a .281 career hitter with 314 stolen bases. Hes expected to compete for a starting job at second base even though he has played only 36 games at the position, most recently in 2004. Miami already has youngster Adeiny Hechavarria at shortstop. Earlier in his career, Furcal had one of the strongest infield arms in the game. The Marlins finished last in the majors in 2013 in runs and hitting, and their second basemen combined to bat only .235. Donovan Solano started the most games there and batted .249. With the winter meetings next week, the Marlins remain in the market for help at third base. The speedy Furcal spent his first six seasons in Atlanta and the next 5 1/2 with the Los Angeles Dodgers before they traded him to St. Louis, where he helped the Cardinals win the 2011 World Series. Jose Cruz Astros Jersey . City has reached new heights under manager Manuel Pellegrini as they transition from big spending/immediate impact to perennial contender. Yaya Toures seeming discontent Tuesday may complicate that, as does the little issue of Financial Fair Play. Aledmys Diaz Jersey . His stated reason for abruptly resigning as head coach of Canadas Olympic womens hockey team was he felt there were doubts about his ability to coach the team to Olympic gold in February. https://www.cheapastros.com/1283o-joe-mo...sey-astros.html. -- Jonathan Diaz is easy to spot in the Blue Jays clubhouse. Joaquin Andujar Astros Jersey . - Their offence is underperforming. Jose Cruz Jersey . The San Angelo, Texas product, who was a high school and college quarterback sensation in the Lone Star State, will start his first CFL game with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (9-4) on Friday at Mosaic Stadium against the leagues top team, the Calgary Stampeders (11-2).HOUSTON -- Houston interim manager Tom Lawless couldnt have asked for a better first game to start his managerial career. Jose Altuve had four hits for the second straight night, Brad Peacock threw 6 1-3 solid innings and the Houston Astros beat the Los Angeles Angels 8-3 on Tuesday night. Altuve became the first Astro to accomplish that feat since Lance Berkman did so in May of 2008. Altuves homer in the third extended Houstons lead to 4-0 and was his sixth straight plate appearance with a hit. "God, hes the best player ever right now," Peacock said of Altuve. "Hes unbelievable to watch. He plays hard. He swings the bat really well." Altuve, who leads the majors with 193 hits, appreciated the compliment. "Every time that your teammates give you that support its going to feel good because youre playing outside not only for the fans, but youre playing for your teammates too," Altuve said. "If they see me that way, I really appreciate it." Lawless took over after the Astros fired Bo Porter on Monday. Robbie Grossman had three hits, including an RBI double in the fifth and Jason Castro added two hits and two RBIs as the Astros jumped out to a 7-0 lead after the fifth. Peacock (4-8) gave up three runs on four hits and struck out five in earning his first win since July 8 at Texas. Houston has won four of its last five. Lawless, who was given the game ball and drenched with water after the game, said winning first the game as a manager ranked pretty high in his career. "They made it look easy," Lawless said. "They came out playing. They did a nice job. We had great pitching. Brad did a great job of pounding the strike zone and mixing up his pitches." Gordon Beckham had three hits, including the first two hits off Peacock, for the Angels, who saw their six-game winning streak snapped. Peacock retired 15 off the first 17 batters he faced, with Chris Iannetta being the only other baserunner he allowed with a fifth inning walk.dddddddddddd Beckham scored on an error in the sixth and drove in Erick Aybar in Los Angeles two-run seventh. Aybar extended his hit streak to a career-high 17 games with a double in the seventh. The Astros jumped on Los Angeles starter C.J Wilson (10-9) early, scoring three runs in the first. Grossman doubled to lead off, and Altuve, Dexter Fowler and Chris Carter followed with singles. Fowler and Carters singles drove in runs before Castro capped the inning with a sacrifice fly. Wilson was tagged for five runs on eight hits with four strikeouts in 3 1-3 innings. The loss was Wilsons first since Aug. 7 and ended a streak of four straight starts in which the left-hander allowed three runs or less. "I think it was one of those games where C.J. just never got into a groove," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "Just wasnt quite as crisp as he needed to be." UP NEXT The short two-game series wraps up with the Angels sending RHP Jered Weaver (15-7) to the mound looking to continue his recent solid pitching. Weaver is 8-1 with a 3.47 ERA since June 21. Houston will counter with RHP Collin McHugh (7-9), who will be looking for his fourth straight win. TRAINERS ROOM Angels: Scioscia said reliever Joe Thatcher (sprained left ankle) could be ready to return in 7-10 days. Astros: LHP Darin Downs (right oblique) and OF Alex Presley (right oblique) were activated from the disabled list Tuesday. REDECORATING A day after Porter was fired the Astros had already done a bit of redecorating in the clubhouse. The motivational quotes that Porter had placed on the strip of wall above the players lockers were gone. Also gone was the large motivational wheel that had been a staple in the clubhouse since Porter arrived. ' ' '