Twins Keep Tom Brunansky As Hitting Coach

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Minnesota Twins coaching staff under new manager Paul Molitor will have at least one holdover: hitting coach Tom Brunansky.

The Twins made the announcement Thursday that Brunansky would return on a one-year contract.

He spent the previous two seasons in the role.

Brunansky was the right fielder on Minnesota's 1987 World Series champion team, the highlight of six-plus years he played for the Twins during a 14-season career in the major leagues.

Brunansky averaged 27 home runs a year during his time with the Twins.

He served as hitting coach for Double-A New Britain in 2011 and Triple-A Rochester in 2012 before his promotion to Minnesota.

Molitor was given the job Monday, replacing Ron Gardenhire after 13 seasons.