Astros to retain coaching staff for 2017

A.J. Hinch will begin his third year as manager of the Astros in 2017. (AP)HOUSTON -- Coming off an 84-78 campaign in which the Astros narrowly missed the postseason, general manager Jeff Luhnow announced at the club's end-of-season press conference on Monday afternoon that the entire Astros coaching staff will return in 2017.

The staff includes manager A.J. Hinch, pitching coach Brent Strom, hitting coach Dave Hudgens, bench coach Trey Hillman, first-base coach Rich Dauer, third-base coach Gary Pettis, bullpen coach Craig Bjornson and assistant hitting coach Alonzo Powell.

"I'm excited about the staff we have here," Luhnow said. "I think they did a tremendous job this year. We had to face a…