Blue Jays finalize 2023 major league coaching staff

Right after rumors began to circulate that the Blue Jays signed longtime Yankees reliever Chad Green to a two-year deal, the Jays took to Twitter to formally announce some changes made to the big league coaching staff.

Matt Buschmann, the club's bullpen coach of the past four years, recently left his position to "pursue other opportunities". Set to replace him on the big league staff is Jeff Ware, who will serve as the assistant pitching coach in the bullpen and David Howell, who will serve as the assistant strategy pitching coach.

Ware, 52, is actually a former Blue Jays player. He made a total of 18 uninspiring appearances in the big leagues between 1995 and 1996, going 3-6 with a 7.47 ERA in 59 innings. He also has the unique distinction of allowing one of Michael Jordan's three career home runs in the minor leagues.

After his playing career, Ware became a coach, earning his first gig as the pitching coach for the Lansing Lugnuts, who at the time were the Class-A affiliate of the Blue Jays.

In 2021, he moved up to Triple-A to serve as the pitching coach for the Bisons. He remained in that position until July of last year, when he was promoted to interim manager of the Bisons to replace Casey Candaele, who moved up to be the big league bench coach after the firing of Charlie Montoyo.

Ware is no stranger to coaching a ton of arms in the Blue Jays system. He fits this staff perfectly and should be a natural fit in the big leagues.

Then there's Howell, who has been a part of the Jays' system since 2020. He began his career in the system as a developmental coach for the Bisons before moving up to the big league squad last year to serve as the Major League Pitching Strategist.

It's unclear what exactly Howell's role will be heading into 2023, as there is not much out there on the duties of your average assistant strategy pitching coach.

Alongside Howell and Ware will be the same coaching staff as the one the Blue Jays ended last year with (minus Buschmann, of course).