The Toronto Blue Jays have announced that Don Mattingly will return to his full-time position as bench coach for the 2025 season after serving as the team’s offensive coordinator in 2024. General manager Ross Atkins praised Mattingly’s impact and willingness to adapt to new roles. Associate manager DeMarlo Hale will continue to support manager John Schneider, but hitting coach Guillermo Martinez, field coordinator Gil Kim, and assistant pitching coach Jeff Ware will not be returning after a disappointing season.
The Blue Jays struggled offensively in 2024, scoring the 23rd highest total of runs in the league and hitting the fifth-lowest number of home runs. Atkins mentioned that Ware and Kim will be offered other roles within the organization, while Martinez will not be returning to the team. Mattingly, a former Yankees slugger, has an impressive resume in coaching and playing, having won awards and titles with the Marlins and Dodgers.
Mattingly’s return to the bench coach position signals a shift in the coaching staff as the Blue Jays aim to improve their offensive performance for the upcoming season. The team finished last in the AL East in 2024 and will be looking to make changes to position themselves for success in 2025. This announcement comes as part of the Blue Jays’ efforts to regroup and strategize for the future.
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