Major-League Baseball notes

Acta to interview with Astros

HOUSTON - Former Washington Nationals manager Manny Acta says he's been contacted by the Houston Astros about their managerial opening.

Acta did not say when he would be meeting with club officials. He was fired by the Nationals during the season.

The Astros finished 74-88 in 2009. They fired Cecil Cooper on Sept. 21 and promoted third-base coach Dave Clark to run the team. Clark is also a candidate for manager.

Jay's GM shakes things up

TORONTO - New Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos shook up his front office yesterday with a raft of changes.

Former assistant general manager Tony LaCava was hired as director of player personnel, Charlie Wilson was named director of minor league operations and former Double-A manager Doug Davis became minor league field coordinator.

On the scouting side, Toronto named Andrew Tinnish director of amateur scouting, Perry Minasian as director of professional scouting and Jon Lalonde as a professional scout.

Toronto fired director of player development Dick Scott, scout Rob Ducey and Triple-A manager Mike Basso.

Elsewhere

D'BACKS: Arizona acquired infielder Tony Abreu from the Dodgers to complete a trade that sent pitcher Jon Garland to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The teams made the move yesterday, finishing off the deal from Aug. 31.

The 24-year-old Abreu is a switch-hitter. He played in four games for L.A. this season, but spent most of his time in Triple-A and Double-A, hitting .312 with 11 home runs and 53 RBIs.

To make room on the 40-man roster for Abreu, the Diamondbacks designated right-handed pitcher Bobby Korecky for assignment.

TIGERS: First base and outfield coach Andy Van Slyke will not be returning to Detroit. The team announced yesterday that Van Slyke "decided to pursue other opportunities" and will not come back next season.

The former Pittsburgh Pirates star had been part of Tigers manager Jim Leyland's coaching staff for four seasons.

The Tigers, who surrendered the American League Central lead and title with a late-season collapse, invited back five coaches for 2010: Rafael Belliard, Jeff Jones, Rick Knapp, Gene Lamont and Lloyd McClendon.

CUBS: An Indian tribe in Arizona is making a pitch to the Chicago Cubs to move their spring training site.

Members of the Gila River Indian tribe recently traveled to Chicago to speak with Cubs management about moving the training to the Indian nation south of Phoenix.

The team, which currently holds spring training in Mesa, has said its in the market for a new spring training facility.