Yankees Bench Coach Josh Bard Will Not Return in Coaching Staff Shakeup
By Parker White
The New York Yankees have already been busy upgrading their coaching staff for 2020, as they recently hired former Cleveland Indians pitching coordinator and guru Matt Blake to be their new pitching coach, replacing Larry Rothschild.
The game of musical chairs will continue elsewhere on the staff, as Yankees bench coach Josh Bard will not be returning for 2020, according to WFAN's Sweeny Murti.
Yankees have not announced major league coaching staff, but bench coach Josh Bard will not return. Sources say Infield coach Carlos Mendoza will move to bench coach.
— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) November 11, 2019
Pitching coach Matt Blake and Catching coach Tanner Swanson on board but have not been officially announced.
While nothing has been officially announced when it comes to the Yankees coaching staff for next year, the belief is that infield coach Carlos Mendoza will be replacing Bard.
Along with the addition of Blake, Tanner Swanson has been brought in to be New York's next catching coach.
Yankees continue coaching shakeup as Josh Bard is out as bench coach https://t.co/0MT2Id1EAU pic.twitter.com/s2e2vehwlr
— New York Post (@nypost) November 11, 2019
This is a short tenure for Bard in the Bronx, as the Yankees hired him to pair up with manager Aaron Boone in 2018, even though Bard had no experience in this coaching position.
Even though Mendoza is young as well, he's been in the Yankees organization as a coach since 2009, including managing the Charleston Riverdogs in 2012. He's been the Yankees infield coach at the big league level since 2017.