Twins sideline coaches McClure, Evers for 2020 season; radio crew to stay home

While Major League Baseball teams start making plans for spring training and the regular season, the pandemic continues to force clubs to make changes with the current environment. Of course, this includes the Minnesota Twins making some decisions with their coaching staff and broadcast crews according to LaVelle E Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

After taking into consideration age and health because of COVID-19, the Twins announced that two of their coaches will not be in the dugout - or bullpen - this season. Bob McClure was to start his first season with Minnesota as the new bullpen coach after Jeremy Hefner was hired by the New York Mets. McClure, who is age 68, will have his role filled by Pete Maki, who is the current minor-league pitching coordinator.

Bill Evers, age 66, will also be absent from the dugout. He is a major-league coach and will be in his second season with the organization. The Twins did not announce who will be taking his spot, but did note that the announcement will come in the near future.

Both coaches will remain on the payroll and could continue to work in some sort of advisory role for the organization.

Another bit of news is that the Twins have told the Treasure Island Baseball Network that they will not be traveling with the team this year, probably to keep as few people from being with the team as possible. Cory Provus and Dan Gladden will be broadcasting all 60 games from the home field. For road games, they will be watching the game from a monitor. There’s no word yet on the size of the monitor or amenities for the radio crew when they’re alone at the stadium during road games.