ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves filled three openings on their coaching staff Monday by promoting Matt Tuiasosopo and Tom Goodwin from the minor leagues and hiring Erick Abreu.
Tuiasosopo, who spent the past three seasons managing at Triple-A Gwinnett, will replace Ron Washington as the Braves third base coach. Goodwin takes over as first base coach from Eric Young after serving two years as a roving instructor in the minors.
Washington was hired as manager of the Los Angeles Angels, and Young departed, as well, to join his coaching staff with the AL club.
Abreu will become Atlanta’s bullpen coach after spending the last nine seasons as a pitching coach in the Houston Astros organization. This is his first appointment to a major league coaching staff.
Abreu replaces Drew French, who left after three years as Atlanta’s bullpen coach to become pitching coach for the Baltimore Orioles.
In another tweak to their staff, Atlanta bench coach Walt Weiss will assume the additional role of overseeing the infielders, which had been handled by Washington. Tuiasosopo will assist Weiss in his new duties.