UPDATE: In a stunning twist, the New York Yankees have just announced the hiring of Desi Druschel as their new assistant pitching coach, returning him to the Bronx less than a month after the New York Mets relieved their coaching staff post-2025 season collapse. This urgent development comes as Druschel was expected to take over the Mets’ pitching coach position, following the team’s failure to secure a playoff spot.
Druschel’s unexpected shift back to the Yankees was confirmed by ESPN late Sunday night. The 50-year-old coach initially joined the Yankees in 2019 and had a key role in pitching development before moving to the Mets last season. His return indicates a significant reorganization within the Yankees’ coaching staff after a disappointing end to their recent postseason run.
This shakeup at the Mets follows a catastrophic finish where they went from a strong 62-44 record and first place in the NL East on July 27 to a final record of 83-79, missing the playoffs entirely. The team lost the last NL wild-card spot to the Cincinnati Reds in a tiebreaker.
The Mets’ manager, Carlos Mendoza, is now left with a revamped coaching staff, having let go of several prominent figures, including pitching coach Jeremy Hefner and hitting coaches Jeremy Barnes and Eric Chavez. Druschel’s departure leaves the Mets with an almost entirely new coaching lineup, marking a significant shift in strategy as they look to bounce back in the upcoming season.
Meanwhile, the Yankees are also undergoing changes after a Division Series loss to the Toronto Blue Jays last postseason. With Druschel’s return, they prepare for another competitive campaign, indicating a strong commitment to revitalizing their pitching strategy.
In addition to Druschel’s return, the Yankees have announced the departure of long-time bullpen coach Mike Harkey as they reshape their coaching roster. Assistant hitting coach Pat Roessler has also been let go but may remain within the organization.
The Yankees and Mets will be heavily scrutinized in the lead-up to the 2026 season as both teams look to reclaim their competitive edge. Fans are eager to see how these coaching changes will impact their respective teams moving forward.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as both the Yankees and Mets continue to adjust their strategies in hopes of a successful future.