Blue Jays make Don Mattingly full-time bench coach

Field Level Media|published: Wed 2nd October, 17:12 2024

MLB: Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays

May 19, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays bench coach and offensive co-ordinator Don Mattingly (23) looks on from the bench before play begins against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

The Toronto Blue Jays are moving Don Mattingly to more of a "traditional role" of full-time bench coach for the 2025 season, general manager Ross Atkins told reporters on Wednesday.

Mattingly was Toronto's offensive coordinator this past season.

"He's excited about that opportunity to impact us and (manager John Schneider) in a different way and a bigger way," Atkins said at his end-of-season news conference. "We think the world of Donnie. He's been incredible and open-minded to change as well."

Atkins also announced that the team parted ways with hitting coach Guillermo Martinez and that field coordinator Gil Kim and assistant pitching coach Jeff Ware will not return to the major league team in 2025.

Ware is under contract and will be offered a different role. Kim is not under contract but will also be offered a different role, Atkins said.

Mattingly went 889-950 in two different stints as manager with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2011-15) and Miami Marlins (2016-22). He won American League MVP in 1985 with the New York Yankees.

--Field Level Media