Yankees news: Matt Blake expected to agree to new contract to return to Bronx

The New York Yankees are reportedly close to finalizing a new contract to retain pitching coach Matt Blake. According to reports cited by Greg Joyce of the New York Post, the club moved closer on Friday to securing Blake's return to the coaching staff. Blake led a pitching staff that featured one of Major League Baseball's top starting rotations and consistently developed key bullpen contributors.

In international baseball news, former Yankees outfielder and 2009 World Series MVP Hideki Matsui has been named manager of the NPB's Yomiuri Giants. Matsui previously starred for the franchise for ten seasons before moving to MLB, and his new roster will feature fellow former Yankee Masahiro Tanaka.