MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have fired five coaches and their head athletic trainer in the wake of a second straight last-place finish in the AL Central.
The Twins announced the moves on Thursday. Longtime bullpen coach Rick Stelmaszek, bench coach Scott Ullger, third base coach Steve Liddle, first base coach Jerry White, hitting coach Joe Vavra and head athletic trainer Rick McWane did not have their contracts renewed for 2013. The team says Ullger and Vavra will be reassigned within in the organization.
Earlier this week, coach Ron Gardenhire said he would prefer to have his staff back next season. Four of the five fired coaches have been with Gardenhire since 2002. Vavra joined the team in 2006.
Stelmaszek has been with the organization since 1978.
