D-Backs hire A’s Hale as new manager

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks hired Oakland Athletics bench coach Chip Hale as their next manager on Monday.

The 49-year-old Hale will replace Kirk Gibson, who was fired with three games left in a disappointing 2014 season in which Arizona finished with the worst record in baseball.

Hale managed in Arizona’s minor league system for six seasons and was the Diamondbacks’ third base coach from 2007-09. He spent two seasons as the New York Mets’ third base coach before serving as Bob Melvin’s bench coach in Oakland the past three years.

Hale spent parts of seven seasons with Minnesota and the Los Angeles Dodgers during a 12-year playing career.

N.C. State suspends 7 players

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina State has suspended seven players ”“ including two starters ”“ for this week’s game against Louisville after what the school says was a BB gun incident.

Coach Dave Doeren announced the suspensions Monday and said the players were playing a game with the BB guns at an off-campus residence.

Among the suspended players are linebacker Jerod Fernandez and safety Josh Jones ”“ both of whom started the 30-14 home loss to Boston College on Saturday.

The other suspended players were receivers Johnathan Alston and Jumichael Ramos, defensive linemen Justin Jones and Pharoah McKever and cornerback Mike Stevens.

Additionally, five freshmen who are redshirting this season ”“ Tyler Jones, Kalen McCain, Deyshawn Middleton, Terronne Prescod and Maurice Trowell ”“ have been placed on team probation.