The Blue Jays introduced that they’ve employed DeMarlo Hale as affiliate supervisor, working beneath supervisor John Schneider.
It’s a homecoming for Hale, 62, who was with the Jays as bench coach from 2013 to 2018. He then went to the Atlanta group for the 2019 and 2020 seasons, working the primary yr within the minors after which becoming a member of the main league teaching employees within the second.
For the previous three seasons, Hale has been the bench coach for the Guardians, working beneath Terry Francona. That has often given Hale managerial alternatives on an interim foundation, as Francona has needed to step away at instances resulting from well being points.
The Guardians are making some shifts to their employees this yr, which will probably be their first with out Francona in fairly a while. He’s stepping apart and the membership employed Stephen Vogt to take his place, with Craig Albernaz additionally coming aboard as main league discipline coordinator. Zack Meisel of The Athletic reported final week that Hale was nonetheless deciding whether or not or to not return to Cleveland nevertheless it seems he’ll make the return journey to Toronto.
The Jays have additionally been doing a little shuffling on their employees. Don Mattingly was the bench coach in 2023 and can proceed in that position subsequent yr, although the membership just lately added “offensive coordinator” to his title. It isn’t precisely clear what Hale’s affiliate supervisor title will cowl, nevertheless it’s attainable a few of Mattingly’s bench coach duties may fall to Hale if Mattingly goes to be doing a little hitting coach-type stuff. Mattingly can be a candidate for the open managerial emptiness in Milwaukee, so maybe Hale provides the Jays a fallback if the Brewers find yourself plucking Mattingly away.
