MLB names Manfred COO

Major League Baseball announced Monday that Rob Manfred was appointed as its new chief operating officer, effective immediately.

Commissioner Bud Selig appointed Manfred, who was promoted after serving as the league's executive vice president of economics and league affairs.

The COO position was vacant since Bob DuPuy resigned in September 2010.

"The reorganization of our management team will facilitate an orderly transition and will position Major League Baseball's operations for sustained prosperity well into the future," Selig said in a statement. "I have the utmost confidence in Rob to excel at his expanded duties and to help the industry maintain its extraordinary growth and vitality.

"Rob has tremendous institutional knowledge and first-hand experience with many of our most complex matters, including labor, revenue sharing, competitive balance and the most comprehensive drug program in American professional sports. I am pleased that I will work with him even more closely in the near future."

Manfred was previously responsible for labor relations with the players' union and human resources. Before joining MLB in 1998, Manfred was a partner in the Labor and Employment Law Section of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP in Washington, D.C.

"I thank commissioner Selig for placing his faith in me," Manfred said in a statement. "The opportunity to serve the clubs in this new position is a distinct honor. I have taken great pride in working closely with the commissioner and supporting the many outstanding initiatives implemented during his tenure. All of us at Major League Baseball look forward to assisting commissioner Selig during his transition process in preparation for his retirement."

Selig announced last week that he will retire at the end of the 2014 season. The league is restructuring its leadership in preparation for a new commissioner. Manfred is considered a candidate.