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Diamondbacks turn to former Angels pitching coach Butcher

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PHOENIX (AP) The Arizona Diamondbacks have hired Mike Butcher as their pitching coach.

He replaces Mike Harkey, who was fired earlier this month.

The 50-year-old Butcher spent the past nine seasons as pitching coach for the Los Angeles Angels, who did not renew his contract after the 2015 season. He previously worked one season as Joe Maddon's pitching coach at Tampa Bay (in 2006) and six seasons in the Angels' minor league system.

Under Butcher, the Angels had nine different starting pitchers who were named AL All-Stars and the team's starters led the AL with 590 victories. Los Angeles also was third in the AL in ERA at 4.00 while he was there.

Butcher, who lives in Chandler, went 11-4 with nine saves and a 4.47 ERA in four big league seasons with the Angels.