NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets filled out the rest of their coaching staff on Wednesday, including hiring Troy Snitker as hitting coach and Justin Willard as pitching coach.
Snitker, the son of former Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker, spent the last seven seasons as the hitting coach for the Houston Astros before the club opted in October not to renew his contract.
Willard comes to New York from Boston, where he had served as the director of pitching since November 2023.
Snitker and Willard are joining a coaching staff that has undergone a major overhaul under manager Carlos Mendoza after the Mets failed to reach the postseason despite the addition of superstar right-fielder Juan Soto, who finished third in voting for NL Most Valuable Player.
The club had previously announced the hiring of Kai Correa as bench coach and the promotion of Jeff Albert to director of major league hitting.
Dan McKinney will serve as the assistant pitching coach. Gilbert Gomez will coach first base and work with the outfielders. Tim Leiper will coach third and work with the infielders. J.P. Arencibia, who spent the last three seasons as the bench coach and assistant hitting coach for Triple-A Syracuse, will work with the catchers.
Jose Rosado will return as New York's bullpen coach. Rafael Fernandez was promoted to assistant hitting coach and Danny Barnes will be the quality assurance coach.
The Mets also released right-hander Frankie Montas. The 32-year-old Montas had Tommy John surgery on Sept. 9 and is expected to miss the 2026 season.
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FILE - Houston Astros hitting coach Troy Snitker talks with players before a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Friday, July 28, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox, File)
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stephen Curry scored 31 points with six 3-pointers and the Golden State Warriors welcomed back their regulars Saturday to beat the Utah Jazz 123-114 after a 37-point thumping by the Thunder a night earlier playing short-handed.
Curry scored 20 points in the third quarter making six of his seven shots, knocking down a go-ahead 3 with 7:01 left in the period and another the next time down.
Lauri Markkanen shot 9 for 12 in the first half for 21 of his 35 points. Keyonte George had 22 points and nine assists for a Jazz team missing Jusuf Nurkic for a second straight game because of a sprained toe on his left foot. Utah has lost three straight and seven of nine.
Curry returned from a one-game absence with a sprained left ankle and Jimmy Butler contributed 15 points and seven assists after an illness sidelined him for the 131-94 defeat to defending champion Oklahoma City.
Draymond Green had also rested Friday but was ejected again with 2:25 left in the second quarter after consecutive technicals for arguing with officials.
Green apparently thought there should have been a 3-second call and was tossed for the second time in his last four home games.
Also during this stretch, he left the bench following a heated exchange with coach Steve Kerr during a third-quarter timeout Dec. 22 against Orlando and then went to the locker room on his own to cool down. Both later apologized.
Green now has nine technicals this season, and would receive an automatic one-game suspension upon reaching 16. He had eight points, three rebounds and two assists in 12 minutes of action.
The Warriors won't be happy with 15 turnovers that led to 22 points for the Jazz. Taking care of the ball has been a regular focus.
Jazz: At Portland on Monday night.
Warriors: Visit the Clippers on Monday.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)
Utah Jazz guard Svi Mykhailiuk (10) shoots over Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) is fouled by Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry smiles during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates his three-pointer against the Utah Jazz in the first quarter during an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
