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The Los Angeles Angels cut ties with three coaches Tuesday, Aug. 11.
Pitching coach Mike Maddux, bullpen coach Dom Chiti and assistant pitching coach Darryl Scott were all fired with the team 24th in MLB in earned-run average (4.51), 30th in walks (508) and 25th in WHIP (1.38).
MORE: Former Angels pitcher, 33, still harbors comeback ambitions
“After spending time discussing with Kurt where we are as a coaching staff and where we want to go in the future, we felt it was best to make a change,” interim Angels general manager John Mozeliak said in a press release. “With seven weeks remaining, we plan to use this time to evaluate what additional steps are needed to elevate our entire pitching program and best position us for success moving forward.”
It’s the second time Mozeliak has had Maddux as his pitching coach. The first stint ended after the 2022 season, when Maddux voluntarily left the St. Louis Cardinals, during Mozeliak’s time as the Cardinals’ head of baseball operations.
Mozeliak was appointed an interim GM and special advisor to the Angels in June when Perry Minasian was fired.
MORE: Former Angels shortstop, 33, announces retirement from MLB
The Angels named Tim Leveque their interim pitching coach and Michael Wuertz their interim bullpen coach.
Leveque, 45, joined the Angels before the 2026 season as Double-A Rocket City’s pitching coach. He worked under Mozeliak for the previous 20 seasons in the St. Louis Cardinals organization.
Wuertz was serving as the Angels’ minor league assistant pitching coordinator following five seasons as the pitching coach with Double-A Rocket City.
MORE: Yankees share sad Tommy John news on Old Timers Day
Wuertz pitched eight MLB seasons with the Chicago Cubs (2004-08) and Oakland Athletics (2009-11), going 21-11 with a 3.71 ERA in 426 career games.
The Angels are 45-74, the worst record in the American League. Firing three coaches doesn’t change their trajectory, but it gives them an opportunity to see what Leveque and Wuertz can do before the season ends.
Mozeliak and manager Kurt Suzuki only have contracts through the end of this season, too. The jury is still out on whether both will return in 2027.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —
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Pitching coach Mike Maddux, bullpen coach Dom Chiti and assistant pitching coach Darryl Scott were all fired with the team 24th in MLB in earned-run average (4.51), 30th in walks (508) and 25th in WHIP (1.38).
MORE: Former Angels pitcher, 33, still harbors comeback ambitions
“After spending time discussing with Kurt where we are as a coaching staff and where we want to go in the future, we felt it was best to make a change,” interim Angels general manager John Mozeliak said in a press release. “With seven weeks remaining, we plan to use this time to evaluate what additional steps are needed to elevate our entire pitching program and best position us for success moving forward.”
It’s the second time Mozeliak has had Maddux as his pitching coach. The first stint ended after the 2022 season, when Maddux voluntarily left the St. Louis Cardinals, during Mozeliak’s time as the Cardinals’ head of baseball operations.
Mozeliak was appointed an interim GM and special advisor to the Angels in June when Perry Minasian was fired.
MORE: Former Angels shortstop, 33, announces retirement from MLB
The Angels named Tim Leveque their interim pitching coach and Michael Wuertz their interim bullpen coach.
Leveque, 45, joined the Angels before the 2026 season as Double-A Rocket City’s pitching coach. He worked under Mozeliak for the previous 20 seasons in the St. Louis Cardinals organization.
Wuertz was serving as the Angels’ minor league assistant pitching coordinator following five seasons as the pitching coach with Double-A Rocket City.
MORE: Yankees share sad Tommy John news on Old Timers Day
Wuertz pitched eight MLB seasons with the Chicago Cubs (2004-08) and Oakland Athletics (2009-11), going 21-11 with a 3.71 ERA in 426 career games.
The Angels are 45-74, the worst record in the American League. Firing three coaches doesn’t change their trajectory, but it gives them an opportunity to see what Leveque and Wuertz can do before the season ends.
Mozeliak and manager Kurt Suzuki only have contracts through the end of this season, too. The jury is still out on whether both will return in 2027.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —
Continue reading...
