More on Bucs’ training staff shakeup

Jenifer Langosch/MLB.com

On Thursday, the Pirates named Todd Tomczyk the club’s new head athletic trainer. Tomczyk most recently served as an assistant trainer in the Dodgers’ organization. There is a possibility that one of Tomczyk’s Los Angeles colleagues might be joining him in Pittsburgh, too.

The Dodgers are expecting the Pirates to seek permission to interview strength and conditioning coach Brendon Huttmann, and Los Angeles is expected to grant such permission. Huttmann spent the last four years with the Dodgers after working in the Cleveland organization.

It’s uncertain whether the Pirates would consider Huttmann for the open assistant trainer position, or if the club is considering him a candidate for the strength/conditioning coaching job. That strength/conditioning position is currently held by Frank Velasquez, but Velasquez is also currently a candidate for the assistant trainer job.

UPDATE: I’ve been told that Velasquez will not be returning to the Pirates staff next year. This obviously fits with the pursuit of Huttmann.

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