GOLD COAST, Australia (AP) — Former Major League Baseball all-star David Nilsson has been named manager of Team Australia as it aims to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.Baseball Australia said Wednesday that the former Milwaukee Brewers catcher would lead the team in games at the 2019 Premier 12 tournament, which doubles as the first chance for 2020 Olympic qualification. He could also manage Australia at the 2021 World Baseball Classic.Nilsson returned to the national team staff as an assistant coach for the 2018 Japan Series after winning three consecutive Australian Baseball League titles with the Brisbane Bandits, who went 86-48 while winning ABL titles in 2016, 2017 and 2018.The 48-year-old Nilsson says: "It was really special to get back to international competition, I love the environment and I really missed it."Regarded as Australia's best-ever MLB player, Nilsson finished his MLB career with a .284 batting average, 105 home runs and 470 runs batted in.He created history in 1999... [More]

Balfour was released by the Rays on Wednesday after opting out of his minor league contract, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Balfour posted a 2.79 ERA in eight appearances with Triple-A Durham after rejoining the Rays in early May, but it appears he was not optimistic about being called up anytime soon. Balfour is 37 years old and has not had much big league success since 2013, so his next step is uncertain.

Balfour re-signed with the Rays on a minor league deal, the Tampa Tribune's R. Mooney reports.

He was released earlier in the week but he has hopes of pitching his way back to the big leagues. At 37 years old this could be Balfour's last dance as a professional baseball player. If he makes it back to the majors it is unlikely that he would occupy a high-leverage role.

Balfour was released by Tampa Bay, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Balfour was designated for assignment and cleared waivers. He's free to sign with any team now, but will likely need to spend time in the minors if another team takes a chance on the 37-year old.

Balfour was designated for assignment Saturday.

Balfour has appeared in five games this season and pitched in 3.2 innings. Brandon Gomes will take his place with the Rays. Balfour has only allowed two hits and has yet to give up a run. Balfour has posted a .818 WHIP.

Balfour (personal) made his first appearance of the spring Monday, allowing one earned run on a home run but working a clean inning otherwise.

Balfour returned home to Australia to attend to a family matter earlier in spring training. He's back with the club now, and should be good for the start of the regular season.

Balfour (personal) is expected to throw live batting practice Friday, Steve Carney of 620 WDAE reports.

Balfour had been attending to a family matter in Australia, but should soon be resuming a regular spring schedule. He'll get in some work with live hitters this weekend, and if all goes well, he'll take the mound in a Grapefruit League game Monday. Balfour appears slated for middle relief duties in 2015 after a disappointing 2014 season.

Balfour (personal) is expected to return to the Rays on Sunday, the Tampa Tribune's R. Mooney reports.

He was in Australia attending to his ailing father, but remains on track to be ready for the start of the season. Look for Balfour to get some looks in the mid-to-late innings, but it would be a surprise to see him accumulate many saves.

Balfour left the Rays' spring camp Wednesday to attend to his ailing father in Australia, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Balfour's father has been battling cancer, so look for the team to give the pitcher as much time as he needs to be with his family. Once he returns to spring training, he'll slot back into the competition for the closer's role, which also includes Brad Boxberger, Ernesto Frieri, and Kevin Jepsen. Given that Balfour's poor performance cost him the ninth-inning gig last season, it's difficult to imagine him reclaiming those duties unless he shows a dramatic improvement with his command, which betrayed him far too often in 2014.

Balfour has been throwing and working out with teammates prior to spring training, the Rays' official site reports. "I go into every offseason thinking I'm going to have a good year," Balfour said. "Last year wasn't what we wanted as a team. And personally ... wasn't what I wanted. But it's 2015 now. We've turned the page. [There have been] a lot of changes here, and we're excited about it all."

Balfour pitched well in September after struggling for most of 2014, closing out the final month with a 2.89 ERA in 11 appearances. While Jake McGee is expected to miss the start of the season while recovering from elbow surgery, it's expected that Brad Boxberger will temporarily hold the closer role for the Rays.

Balfour earned the win Monday against he Red Sox, pitching a shutout 10th inning.

Balfour allowed a hit in the inning, but nothing would come of it. The veteran's return to Tampa Bay this season hasn't gone too well, as Balfour has posted an unsightly 5.17 ERA this season. Things were no better in August, when he posted an even worse 5.93 ERA.

Balfour was charged with his fifth loss of the season after giving up three runs on a hit and three walks as the Rays fell in extra innings to the Tigers. He failed to record an out.

Balfour appeared to restore some confidence by turning in three scoreless appearances in a row prior to Tuesday, but he may have sacrificed all that goodwill with his putrid showing against the Tigers. The right-hander found the strike zone on just two of his 14 pitches, adding another dubious footnote to a nightmarish season.

Balfour allowed a hit and picked up one strikeout during a scoreless inning in Sunday's loss to the Yankees.

With the Rays trailing 4-2, Balfour came in to work the top of the ninth in Sunday's contest. Though the veteran reliever has now allowed just two hits over four scoreless innings during his last three outings, do not look for Manager Joe Maddon to deploy him in high-leverage situations anytime soon.

Grant Balfour revealed Saturday that he believes he's been tipping his pitches.

Balfour has walked 27 over 36 1/3 innings this season, so it's not just pitch-tipping that's led to his issues. However, it could certainly be a factor in his struggles. "I have a few things, and it's been cleaned up," Balfour said. "You look at the numbers and you think maybe they knew what was coming at certain times. That can explain a few things here and there. I'm not saying I pitched the best, but it doesn't help when someone knows what's coming. It could be an issue. It's definitely cleaned up, so we'll find out."

Grant Balfour tossed 2 1/3 perfect innings to pick up his 10th save of the season in Wednesday's win over the Cardinals.

Making his first appearance since he was battered by the Mariners, which led to his demotion as the team's sole closer, Balfour rebounded nicely, retiring all seven batters he faced. He's now 10-for-12 in save opportunities with a 5.88 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, and a 22/20 K/BB ratio in 26 innings.

Rays manager Joe Maddon announced Monday morning that he will begin using a committee at closer.

Grant Balfour was slammed for five runs in the ninth inning of the Rays' loss to the Mariners on Sunday, pushing his ERA for the season to 6.46. The 36-year-old has had problems with both control and effectiveness, and Maddon told reporters before Monday's matinee with Seattle that he wants Balfour to get his confidence back in a less pressurized role. Jake McGee and Juan Carlos Oviedo are the best options for vultured saves in the meantime. McGee has been especially dominant this year.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said Sunday that he's sticking with Grant Balfour at closer "as of today."

"Even if I was going to change anything, I wouldn't tell you guys anyhow," Maddon said to the media after watching Balfour serve up five earned runs in the top of the ninth as the Rays fell to the Mariners. Balfour has a disappointing 6.46 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, and 21/20 K/BB ratio in 23 2/3 total innings this season. Jake McGee and Juan Carlos Oviedo should both be stashed in mixed fantasy leagues.

Grant Balfour took his second blown save after giving up a run in the ninth Thursday against the A's.

Balfour managed to preserve the tie from there, but it was another poor outing from a guy with a 5.89 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP. The Rays will have to weigh replacing him in the ninth, likely with either Joel Peralta (a potentially less expensive option) or Jake McGee (clearly their best reliever). We'd lean towards Peralta getting the nod, but the Rays may wait and give Balfour one more chance.

Grant Balfour rebounded from Thursday's outing to pitch a scoreless ninth with a 3-0 lead Friday against the Angels.

Balfour was upset about being pulled from a save chance on Friday, especially after Brad Boxberger gave up a walkoff homer, but he's still the closer and he was right back on the mound tonight for an easy 14-pitch inning. Fortunately, he was able to retire the 8-9-1 portion of the Angels lineup and leave Mike Trout waiting on deck in the end.

Rays manager Joe Maddon gave Grant Balfour a vote of confidence on Friday, saying that the veteran right-hander was "absolutely" still his closer.

Maddon said that he wants to see Balfour more confident in the role. He suffered a horrendous blown save against the Angels on Saturday, allowing the only three base runners he faced to reach base before being yanked. While it's nice to have the support of his manager, another blown save chance could mean the end.