UPDATE: In a stunning move, the New York Yankees have officially announced the return of former assistant pitching coach Desi Druschel, just weeks after the New York Mets overhauled their coaching staff following a disastrous 2025 season. Druschel, who was poised for a promotion within the Mets organization, will rejoin Aaron Boone‘s staff as the assistant pitching coach, as reported by ESPN late Sunday night.
This unexpected switch comes less than a month after the Mets’ shocking collapse, where they went from leading the NL East in early August to finishing with an 83-79 record and missing the playoffs. The Mets lost their last NL wild-card playoff spot to the Reds in a tiebreaker, prompting a complete coaching overhaul under manager Carlos Mendoza.
Druschel’s return to the Yankees marks a significant turn of events. The 50-year-old first joined the Yankees organization in 2019 and served as a minor-league instructor before his promotion to the major league coaching staff. His expertise will be crucial as the Yankees look to rebound after a disappointing Division Series exit against the American League champion Blue Jays in 2025.
The Mets had granted Druschel permission to interview for other positions, indicating their plan to move in a different direction for their pitching coach role. Following his departure, the Mets will have seven new coaches next season, including the departure of pitching coach Jeremy Hefner and hitting coaches Jeremy Barnes and Eric Chavez.
The shake-up in the Yankees’ coaching staff is also noteworthy, with the team parting ways with bullpen coach Mike Harkey and seeing other changes in assistant roles. As the Yankees aim to return to their winning ways, Druschel’s experience will be vital, especially in light of the team’s recent struggles.
As baseball fans eagerly anticipate how these coaching changes will impact both teams moving forward, all eyes will be on the new dynamics within the dugouts of the Yankees and Mets. What happens next could redefine the trajectories of both franchises as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Stay tuned for the latest developments as this story unfolds.
