SAN DIEGO (AP) - Phil Plantier has been fired as hitting coach of the San Diego Padres.
He had been the sixth person to hold the job since the Padres began playing in spacious Petco Park in 2004.
The Padres hit .226 last year, worst in the big leagues.
Plantier's assistant, Alonzo Powell, will return and will be among the candidates to interview for the hitting coach position.
Also returning will be bench coach Dave Roberts, pitching coach Darren Balsley, third base coach Glenn Hoffman, first base coach Jose Valentin and bullpen coach Willie Blair.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.
