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Pentland replaces Long as Yankees' hitting coach

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NEW YORK (AP) Jeff Pentland has been hired to replace Kevin Long as the New York Yankees' hitting coach, and Joe Espada will take over as third base coach.

Rob Thomson moves from third base to bench coach in place of Tony Pena, who shifts to first base and takes over from Mick Kelleher.

Kelleher was fired in October along with Long after the Yankees failed to make the playoffs for the second straight season. Thomson also was bench coach in 2008.

Long was hired by the Mets.

The Yankees also said Monday that Alan Cockrell has been hired to the new position of assistant hitting coach.

Larry Rothschild (pitching) and Gary Tuck (bullpen) remain in place from Joe Girardi's 2013 staff.

The 68-year-old Pentland was hitting coordinator last year in Miami's player development system. He has been hitting coach for the Marlins (1996), Cubs (1997-02), Royals (2003-05), Mariners (2006-08) and Dodgers (2008-11).

Espada was the Marlins' third base coach from 2010-13.

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