* Tigers prospect Scott Sizemore underwent surgery yesterday to repair the fractured left ankle that he suffered last week while playing in the Arizona Fall League.

General manager Dave Dombrowski has indicated previously that Sizemore would be Detroit's starting second baseman if free agent Placido Polanco doesn't return, but before any of that can happen he'll have screws stabilizing his ankle until January.

* Alyson Footer of MLB.com has a ton of good photos from the press conference introducing Brad Mills as the Astros' manager. Houston's new skipper will wear uniform No. 2.

* Meanwhile, the Red Sox will replace Mills as bench coach with an in-house option if manager Terry Francona has his wish. DeMarlo Hale and Tim Bogar figure to be candidates.

* After struggling in his second Arizona Fall League outing, Stephen Strasburg bounced back with 4.1 innings of one-hit ball yesterday, striking out five and reaching triple-digits with his fastball several times.