Indians hitting coach Van Burkleo opts out of season

Cleveland Indians hitting coach Ty Van Burkleo will opt out of the remainder of the 2020 season, citing coronavirus concerns, multiple outlets reported. He was also hitting coach for the Houston Astros (2012) and Oakland Athletics (2007-08) as well as a bench coach for the Seattle Mariners (2009-10). The Indians finished in the top four of runs scored in the American League during four of Van Burkleo's previous seven seasons.

Cleveland Indians hitting coach Ty Van Burkleo will opt out of the remainder of the 2020 season, citing coronavirus concerns, multiple outlets reported. Van Burkleo, 57, has been the Indians hitting coach for eight seasons. He was also hitting coach for the Houston Astros (2012) and Oakland Athletics (2007-08) as well as a bench coach for the Seattle Mariners (2009-10).

The Indians finished in the top four of runs scored in the American League during four of Van Burkleo's previous seven seasons. A Los Angeles-area native, Van Burkleo played just 14 major league games with the California Angels (1993) and Colorado Rockies (1994). He had five hits in 38 career at-bats with a home run.

While he still is expected to work with the club remotely, the Indians will rely on Victor Rodriguez, Justin Tole and Alex Eckelman as in-person hitting instructors. The Indians are currently without manager Terry Francona, who is undergoing tests at the Cleveland Clinic for gastrointestinal issues. First-base coach Sandy Alomar has been managing the team since Sunday.

--Field Level Media

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