Toronto Blue Jays pitching instructor Dane Johnson watches pitcher Jeremy Accardo warm up during spring training in 2008Mike Carlson/The Canadian Press
The Toronto Blue Jays have finalized their coaching staff for the upcoming season, naming Dane Johnson bullpen coach and Eric Owens assistant hitting coach.
Johnson spent the past 11 seasons as the team's minor league pitching co-ordinator and has been instrumental in helping to develop some of the Blue Jays top prospects. Johnson takes over from Bob Stanley, whose contract was not renewed after the 2014 season concluded.
Owens joins the Blue Jays in a newly created position after spending the last four years as the minor league hitting co-ordinator with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He will work alongside Brook Jacoby, who was hired back in November after spending the past year working with the Texas Rangers farm system. The 54 year old was also the hitting coach with the Cincinnati Reds following a 12 year major league career.
Jacoby replaced Kevin Seitzer who joined the Braves as their hitting coach after he could not come to terms on a new deal with the Blue Jays.