Baseball-Major League Baseball roundup

Aug 28 (The Sports Xchange) - General manager Jack Zduriencik was fired by the Seattle Mariners on Friday in the midst of a disappointing 59-69 season for a team many experts pegged as a contender entering the year. Jeff Kingston, who has been the Mariners' assistant general manager since 2009, will handle the GM responsibilities for the remainder of the 2015 regular season. - - The Mariners later demoted catcher Mike Zunino to Triple-A Tacoma and recalled catcher John Hicks. Zunino, the third overall pick in the 2012 draft out of the University of Florida, was rushed to the majors by June of 2013. While he has emerged as one of the top defensive catchers in the game, Zunino is batting just .174 with 11 home runs and 28 RBIs this season and has a career average of .193 in 1,055 at-bats. - - Washington Nationals center fielder Denard Span went back on the 15-day disabled list and likely won't return this season. The 31-year-old Span is to have surgery on his left hip Tuesday, MLB.com reported. - - The New York Yankees reinstated right-hander Bryan Mitchell from the seven-day concussion disabled list. Mitchell has not played since Aug. 17 after being hit in the face by a line drive, which caused a nasal fracture and concussion. - - The St. Louis Cardinals placed right-handed reliever Trevor Rosenthal on the paternity leave list and recalled right-hander Sam Tuivailala from Triple-A Memphis. Rosenthal, who earned his 41st save in Thursday night's 5-3 win at Arizona, is tied for the National League lead in saves and is ranked third among relievers with his 1.52 ERA. - - The Cardinals hired former major league pitcher Randy Flores as the team's director of scouting. General manager John Mozeliak announced that Flores, who was on the Cardinals' 2006 World Series championship team, will begin his new job Tuesday. (Editing by Frank Pingue)