Giants ‘pretty close’ on new hitting coach, make historic hire to coaching staff

The San Francisco Giants will promote Taira Uematsu to first-base coach next season, making him the first MLB first-base coach born in Japan. The appointment recognises his long service with the club and his experience studying opposing pitchers, skills relevant to the role.

Uematsu joined the organisation as a minor-league bullpen catcher in 2006 and later became a quality control coach. Gary Pettis will return as third-base coach, Ron Washington as infield coach, while Shane Robinson moves to a minor-league outfield role. The Giants are also restructuring their pitching staff and say they are close to hiring a hitting coach, who will be their third in as many seasons.