More changes are coming to the Toronto Blue Jays’ coaching staff, this time involving Don Mattingly.
After one season as the club’s offensive co-ordinator, Mattingly will no longer oversee the offence in that role and will return to more of a “traditional” setting as a bench coach in 2025, general manager Ross Atkins told reporters Wednesday, including MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson.
“He’s excited about that opportunity to impact us and John [Schneider] in a different way, in a bigger way,” Atkins said. “[I] think the world of Donnie. He’s been incredible and open minded to change as well.”
The 63-year-old joined Toronto’s staff as a bench coach prior to the 2023 season after spending seven seasons as manager with the Miami Marlins, winning NL Manager of the Year in ’20.
News: Don Mattingly is moving into a “more traditional role” as the bench coach, no longer the offensive coordinator.
Atkins says Mattingly will impact the #BlueJays in a “different” and “bigger” way…
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) October 2, 2024
Atkins added that DeMarlo Hale, who rejoined the franchise ahead of this past season in a defensive co-ordinator role as the associate manager, will remain on the Blue Jays’ staff next season. However, determining his and Mattingly’s titles and responsibilities has yet to be decided.
The Blue Jays have reshuffled their coaching staff after missing the playoffs for the second time in five seasons, parting ways with hitting coach Guillermo Martinez and reassigning field co-ordinator Gil Kim and assistant pitching coach Jeff Ware — moves Atkins confirmed in Wednesday’s press conference.
Toronto’s GM revealed the plan is to begin searching for someone to lead the club’s offence in 2025, exploring “external and internal candidates” for that position. As of now, assistant hitting coaches Matt Hague and Hunter Mense are slated to return next season.
There’s plenty of work to be completed between now and when players arrive in Dunedin, Fla., for spring training.