Giants Will Talk With Angels’ Black

Angels pitching coach Bud Black, who in past years declined opportunities to interview for managerial openings with the Dodgers, Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians, is ready to pursue such jobs and will interview with the San Francisco Giants, who received permission to speak to Black.

Though Giants General Manager Brian Sabean has said experience as a manager, either in the major leagues or minor leagues, would be preferable in his search for a replacement for Felipe Alou, the team is also placing a priority on someone who knows how to handle a pitching staff, especially young pitchers.

“Bud is not the sort of guy you relish losing -- he’s been a good coach for us and a big part of our success,” Angels General Manager Bill Stoneman said. “However, when you have people who are very talented, you recognize that if they have a higher ceiling, you’re going to be faced with this.”

-- Mike DiGiovanna

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Lou Piniella vows to make a winner of the Chicago Cubs, whose last World Series appearance came in 1945.

“Urgency is important,” said Piniella, who was introduced Tuesday as the team’s latest manager. “We’re going to win here, and that’s the end of the story.”

Piniella agreed Monday to a three-year contract worth nearly $10 million, with an option for a fourth year. “I’m just a little piece of the puzzle. My job is to come in here and unite this team,” he said.

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New York Yankees pitcher Randy Johnson will have surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back that hampered him during the final weeks of the season.