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The Cubs are hiring Darren Holmes as bullpen coach and Mark Strittmatter to function catching coach, reports Sahadev Sharma of the Athletic. These are anticipated to be the ultimate two hires for Craig Counsell’s first workers within the Windy Metropolis.
Holmes joins the group after 4 years in Baltimore. The Orioles initially employed him to work as bullpen coach going into the 2020 season. A winter later, he was promoted to assistant pitching coach. Holmes held that function below Chris Holt for 3 seasons earlier than Baltimore modified its pitching voices this previous October. Holt was moved again into an overhead function with the group, whereas Holmes departed solely.
The 57-year-old Holmes pitched elements of 13 seasons as an enormous league reliever. Earlier than his time in Baltimore, he had spent 5 seasons because the bullpen coach in Colorado. He’ll convey loads of expertise to a reduction corps led by Adbert Alzolay, Julian Merryweather and Mark Leiter Jr. Chicago relievers completed thirteenth in ERA (3.85) final season. They had been fourth in strikeout fee (26%) however issued walks at an 11% clip that was decrease solely than the 12% mark posted by a rebuilding A’s membership.
Strittmatter, 54, has labored with catchers within the Rockies group for the higher a part of 20 years. He had some expertise on an enormous league workers earlier than serving as minor league catching coordinator since 2013. Strittmatter briefly reached the majors as a participant in 1998.
Sharma notes that the Cubs are anticipated to quickly announce the whole thing of the teaching workers. Holmes and Strittmatter will spherical out a bunch of previously-reported hirings together with Ryan Flaherty as bench coach, returnee Dustin Kelly (hitting coach) and new addition John Mallee (assistant hitting coach) on the offensive aspect. Tommy Hottovy and Daniel Moskos are again because the lead and assistant pitching coaches, respectively. Mike Napoli and Willie Harris will return as the bottom coaches.
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