Former Yankees batting coach Kevin Long is staying in New York to take the same job with the Mets.
Long and Dustin Clarke joined the Mets’ staff on Thursday. Clarke will serve as the Mets’ strength and conditioning coach. He worked in the minors last year.
The Yankees fired Long two weeks ago after eight seasons with the organization. Long had one of the game’s top run-producing teams from 2007 to 2014 until injuries took their toll last year.
Long replaces Dave Hudgens, who was fired as the Mets’ hitting coach at midseason. His replacement, Lamar Johnson, was not rehired at the end of the year. Hudgens has since found work with the Astros as their hitting coach.