Cubs hire Martinez for bench coach

CHICAGO (AP) Joe Maddon's longtime bench coach is coming with him to Chicago.

The Cubs announced Thursday that they hired Dave Martinez for Maddon's staff and moved Brandon Hyde from bench coach to first base coach. Doug Dascenzo, who was hired as first base coach in October, is switching to outfield and baserunning coordinator with responsibilities in the majors and minors.

The 50-year-old Martinez was Maddon's bench coach in Tampa Bay for the past seven seasons. Martinez was a candidate to succeed Maddon with the Rays, but did not make the cut when the organization selected three finalists last month.

Martinez was selected by Chicago in the third round of the 1983 draft. He made his major league debut with the Cubs in 1986 and played for the franchise for parts of four seasons.

Former major league catcher Henry Blanco also is returning to Chicago to serve as the club's major league quality assurance coach. The 43-year-old Blanco, who retired last spring, played for the Cubs from 2005-08.

The rest of Maddon's staff includes: Chris Bosio (pitching coach), Gary Jones (third base coach), John Mallee (hitting coach), Lester Strode (bullpen coach), Mike Borzello (catching and strategy coach), Eric Hinske (assistant hitting coach) and Franklin Font (staff assistant).

Maddon opted out of his contract with the Rays after Andrew Friedman left Tampa Bay's front office to take over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Oct. 14. Maddon was announced as the Cubs' manager on Oct. 31.