Rangers notes: Hawkins, Magadan won’t return to coaching staff in 2016
Bullpen coach Andy Hawkins and hitting coach Dave Magadan will not return to the Texas Rangers in 2016.
Magadan and the club “made a mutual decision” that he would leave the organization to look for a job closer to his Florida home, the Rangers said in a release. Hawkins resigned to pursue opportunities with other teams.
“He wanted to specifically pursue an opportunity to be a major league pitching coach,” general manager Jon Daniels said of Hawkins. “He’s been here 14 years. I only have positive things to stay about both guys.”
A coach that can reach players within the context of their approach, their swing, in-game adjustments. That’s not to say that we haven’t had that, but that’s also to say you ask what we’re looking for, what I personally would like to have, is that type of coach that can impact, make a difference and add value to the players as well as the coaching staff.
Jeff Banister on what he’s looking for in a hitting coach
Six members of the coaching staff have been invited back, including bench coach Steve Buechele, pitching coach Mike Maddux, third base coach Tony Beasley, first base coach Hector Ortiz, assistant hitting coach Bobby Jones and field coordinator Jayce Tingler.
Hawkins had been on the major league staff since Aug. 1, 2009. Magadan was in his third season as the hitting coach.
“I look for a hitting coach that can come in and add value, creativity, the ability to reach, communicate, have the mindset to work with our hitters to increase the value of their set of tools,” manager Jeff Banister said.
Beltre’s thumb
Third baseman Adrian Beltre played most of the season with a torn ligament in his left thumb, Daniels said Friday.
Beltre’s thumb will be examined soon to determine whether surgery is necessary.
Off-season repairs
Right-hander Colby Lewis, who led the Rangers with 17 wins and 204 2/3 innings pitched, had the torn meniscus in his left knee cleaned up Friday. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Catcher Chris Gimenez had the AC joint in his right shoulder cleaned up, and catcher Carlos Corporan had surgery to repair his left thumb, which he injured in early July and then aggravated two weeks later.
Banister honored
Banister will be awarded the 2015 Chuck Tanner Memorial Award for MLB manager of the year by the Rotary Club of Pittsburgh at a banquet Saturday, Nov. 14 at the Rivers Club in downtown Pittsburgh.
Banister spent 29 years with the Pirates before becoming manager of the Rangers last October.
Stefan Stevenson: 817-390-7760, @StevensonFWST
This story was originally published October 16, 2015 at 5:06 PM with the headline "Rangers notes: Hawkins, Magadan won’t return to coaching staff in 2016."