Brown, Ortiz hired as asst. hitting coaches

Former Major Leaguers Brant Brown and Luis Ortiz were both named assistant hitting coach/Minor League hitting coordinator. (Getty Images)LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers on Friday hired former Major Leaguers Brant Brown and Luis Ortiz to serve the dual roles of assistant hitting coach/Minor League hitting coordinator. Turner Ward is expected to return as the Major League hitting coach.

Brown and Ortiz essentially replace assistant hitting coach Tim Hyers, whom the Red Sox hired to be their Major League hitting coach, and Triple-A hitting coach Shawn Wooten, who was let go.

Brown, 46, spent the past five seasons in the Mariners' organization, the last two as the team's offensive coordinator. He was…