With the ascension of long-time bullpen coach
Dana LeVangie to pitching coach, the Red Sox needed to quickly fill that open spot. Today, the team announced that
Craig Bjornson would take over bullpen coach duties. Bjornson spent the last six seasons as a member of the World Series Champion Houston Astros organization—including five seasons as their bullpen coach. Before his stint with the Astros, Bjornson spent 13 seasons as a minor-league pitching coach for the Montreal Expos, Kansas City Royals, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Colorado Rockies. Also, he was pitching coach for the
Occidente Pastora de los Llanos of the Venezuelan Winter League for four seasons. The 48-year-old Bjornson clearly had some serious positive connections with Boston's new manager (and former Astros bench coach)
Alex Cora.
