HOUSTON — The Houston Astros are finalizing the hire of longtime Arizona Diamondbacks third-base coach Tony Perezchica for the same position, a team source told The Athletic on Tuesday.
The deal is not complete yet, though it is expected to be.
Perezchica, 58, would replace Gary Pettis, who did not have his contract renewed after 10 years on Houston’s staff. The Arizona Republic first reported Perezchica’s move late Monday night.
Perezchica spent 22 seasons in Arizona’s organization, first joining in 2003 as a minor-league manager before transitioning to a field coordinator. Manager Torey Lovullo hired Perezchica as his third-base coach prior to the 2017 season, a position he has held throughout Lovullo’s tenure.
Most of Perezchica’s on-field work with the Diamondbacks involved coaching infielders. Pettis, meanwhile, coached Houston’s outfielders and baserunning, meaning some responsibilities within the Astros’ staff could be shifted upon Perezchica’s arrival.
Perezchica is primed to be the only external addition to manager Joe Espada’s coaching staff, though other teams with coaching vacancies could show interest in sitting Astros coaches and cause more turnover.
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