The New York Yankees made one change to their coaching staff for 2025 -- and it’s not the one that fans were clamoring for. The Yankees announced they added former relief pitcher Preston Claiborne, assistant pitching coach, to the staff.
Claiborne, who pitched three seasons in the big leagues, replaces Desi Druschel, who bolted to the New York Mets this offseason. Claiborne, drafted by the Yankees in 2010, made his major league debut in the Bronx in 2013 and spent part of the 2014 season with them as well. His career ended in 2015 with the then-Cleveland Indians.
This is his fifth year as a Yankees coach. Last season, he was the pitching coach for Single-A Tampa.
He joins a staff that remains intact from 2024, including third base coach Luis Rojas. The former Mets manager earned the Yankees’ fans ire last year for some unsuccessful sends from third base, including a disastrous send in Game 3 of the World Series.
With two outs and Stanton on second, Anthony Volpe ripped a single to left field, where Teoscar Hernandez was defending for the Dodgers. Rojas sent Giancarlo Stanton home despite the veteran's struggles with running and leg injuries. While Hernandez isn’t known for having a great arm, he nailed Stanton at the plate.
It’s Rojas’ fourth season with the Yankees.
The comments on the Yankees X.com announcement immediately turned to Rojas.
Also back is Brad Ausmus is back for his second season as bench coach after replacing current New York Mets’ manager Carlos Mendoza in 2024. Matt Black returns for his sixth season as pitching coach. Mike Harkey returns for his 16th season as bullpen coach and James Rowson is back as the hitting coach for the second year. Casey Dykes will begin his fourth season and Pat Roessler will start his second as assistant hitting coach. Travis Chapman returns as first base coach for the fourth season, and Tanner Swanson will enter his sixth season with the Yankees as major league field coordinator and director of catching.
