The Cleveland Indians hired Manny Acta to be their manager, giving him the job about three months after he was fired by the Washington Nationals.

Acta signed a three-year contract with a club option for 2013, Indians spokesman Bart Swain said yesterday. Additional terms were not disclosed.

"I am very excited to become part of the Cleveland Indians family," Acta said. "I look forward to working with this talented group of young men who seem to possess a lot of energy and passion for their work."

The Indians chose Acta after a second interview over former New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine and Indians Triple-A manager Torey Lovullo. The team had been expected to interview Dodgers hitting coach Don Mattingly this week.

The 40-year-old Acta, who was drafted by the Astros as a 17-year-old first baseman, also interviewed for Houston's opening this offseason. The Indians will introduce him at a news conference today.

Cleveland tied for last in the AL Central. The Indians fired manager Eric Wedge in the final week of the season.

Acta went 158-252 in 2 1/2 years with the Nationals, who fired him after a 21-61 start this season.

CARDINALS

LA RUSSA MAY RETURN AS MANAGER

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa took a flight from his West Coast home to St. Louis yesterday for further talks about his future. There was a report, too, that Mark McGwire might join him as a coach.

The Cardinals scheduled a news conference for this morning but did specify why.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported on its Web site that the news conference would announce that La Russa had agreed to a 15th season. The newspaper also said the manager was negotiating with McGwire to be the team's batting coach to replace Hal McRae.