big league chew

Marcus Thames has been named assistant hitting coach for the New York Yankees after serving the past three seasons as a hitting coach in their minor league system. The Louisville native and ex-East Central Community College standout, who famously homered off Randy Johnson in his first big league at-bat, retired as a player in 2011. … Mississippi State product Ed Easley has been taken off the 40-man roster and outrighted to Triple-A Memphis by the St. Louis Cardinals. Easley played in four games for the Cardinals as a 29-year-old rookie in 2015, going 0-for-6 with an RBI. … Mississippi Gulf Coast CC alum Tony Sipp is a free agent and could be in line for a nice payday. The lefty reliever made $2.4 million with Houston in 2015, when he posted a 1.99 ERA and pitched well in the postseason. … Also on the list of MLB free agents are former Mississippi Braves Jason Heyward, Jeff Francoeur, Blaine Boyer and Jarrod Saltalamacchia. … Taylorsville’s Billy Hamilton had a tough year at the plate (.226) for Cincinnati, but he is a Gold Glove finalist as a center fielder. Ex-Southern Miss star Brian Dozier of Minnesota is a finalist at second base. The award winners will be announced Nov. 10. … Desmond Jennings, the former Itawamba CC standout, could be potential trade bait for Tampa Bay, reports say. Jennings was injured most of 2015, and the Rays now have other options in the outfield. … Curious to see what’s next for Corey Wimberly, the ex-Alcorn State star who batted .340 with 34 stolen bases in the Mexican League in 2015. Wimberly, 32, has been in pro ball since 2005 without tasting the majors.