The Yankees will replace departed hitting coach Jeff Pentland with Alan Cockrell and promote Marcus Thames to the big league staff.
According to several people with knowledge of the Yankees’ plans, Cockrell will move from assistant hitting coach to the top job, and Thames will be elevated from Triple-A to the big leagues.
It’s the second time the Yankees have stayed within to fill a high-profile job. When assistant GM Billy Eppler left to become the Angels general manager, Yankees GM Brian Cashman promoted professional scout Tim Naehring, though he will receive a different title.