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Diamondbacks Finalize Coaching Staff

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The D-Backs announced their 2025 coaching staff this evening. The previously unreported additions are the hirings of Travis Denker as assistant hitting coach and Owen Dew as assistant pitching coach. Former assistant hitting coach Rick Short is moving to minor league field coordinator, the team announced. Arizona dismissed prior assistant pitching coach Dan Carlson at the end of the season.

It’s the first MLB coaching jobs for both Denker and Dew. The former reached the majors as a player, suiting up in 24 games for the Giants in 2008. Denker spent 12 seasons in the minor leagues. He finished his playing career in the Arizona system in 2017 before moving into coaching. He has spent the past six years coaching in the minors, including two years as a hitting coach with Triple-A Reno.

Dew, 36, is a former Cleveland draftee who pitched in their system for four years. He moved into coaching with Cleveland in 2017. Dew worked his way from short season ball up the minor league ladder, getting to their top affiliate in Columbus in 2023. He spent two years with the Guardians’ Triple-A team before getting the bump to Arizona’s big league staff.

This will be Torey Lovullo’s ninth season at the helm in Phoenix. In addition to Denker and Dew, new hirings include pitching coach Brian Kaplan, bullpen coach Wellington Cepeda, and third base coach Shaun Larkin. Bench coach Jeff Banister, hitting coach Joe Mather, assistant hitting coach Damion Easley, and first base coach Dave McKay are returnees.

Minor MLB Transactions: 6/12/16

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Here are today’s minor transactions from around baseball:

  • The Cubs have announced the signing of free agent infielder Josh Silver to a minor league pact. The 26-year-old has been playing for River City of the independent Frontier League since last season and has hit .320/.392/.442 with six homers in 306 PAs.
  • The Diamondbacks have signed free agent third baseman Travis Denker to a minor league deal, per a club announcement. Denker last spent time with a major league organization in 2012, when he appeared in 64 games with the Dodgers’ Double-A affiliate. His only big league action came in 2008 as a member of the Giants, with whom he hit .243/.333/.486 in 42 plate appearances. Denker has bounced around multiple independent leagues and the Mexican League in recent years.
  • The Cubs have claimed right-handed reliever R.J. Alvarez off waivers from the Athletics and optioned him to Triple-A Iowa, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com was among those to report (Twitter link). Alvarez has impressively struck out 32 hitters in 28 career major league innings, but the 2012 third-round pick has offset that by walking 18 and registering a 7.39 ERA. The 25-year-old is currently working his way back from March surgery on his right elbow.
  • The Marlins have signed free agent righty Travis Ballew to a minor league contract, the team announced. The reliever spent 2012-15 with the Astros organization after going in the 23rd round of the draft, though Houston never promoted him to the big leagues. Ballew, 25, opened this season pitching for Fargo-Moorhead of the independent American Association. In 221 career minor league innings, Ballew has posted a 4.03 ERA, 9.5 K/9 and 4.0 BB/9.
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