Mariners announce 2021 coaching staff, with one change made

The Mariners have announced their 2021 major league coaching staff, which includes just one permanent change.

Young Mariners getting recognition during awards season

Returning to manager Scott Servais’ staff are Jared Sandberg (bench coach), Tim Laker (hitting coach), Jarret DeHart (assistant hitting coach), Pete Woodworth (pitching coach), Perry Hill (infield/first base coach), Manny Acta (third base coach) and Carson Vitale (major league field coordinator). Joining the staff full-time will be Trent Blank as bullpen coach and director of pitching strategy.

Brian DeLunas, who had served as bullpen coach and director of pitching development strategies in his three years with the Mariners, did not have his contract renewed. DeLunas was one of three coaches (along with Laker and Hill) the organization elected to have coach remotely in 2020 due to health concerns amid the coronavirus pandemic. Blank filled the role of bullpen coach last season in DeLunas’ absence.

Blank, 31, originally joined the Mariners organization as coordinator of pitching strategy prior to the 2019 season. He spent four years with TMI Sports Medicine working as a baseball performance specialist and served as director of player development at Dallas Baptist University, where he earned a Masters of Science in kinesiology and exercise science.

A 30th-round draft pick out of Baylor in 2012, Blank pitched three years in the Rockies organization.

In addition to the coaches noted above, Nasusel Cabrera will remain with the big league staff in his position as batting practice pitcher, and Fleming Báez will return as bullpen catcher.

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