UPDATE: In a shocking twist, the New York Yankees have just announced the return of assistant pitching coach Desi Druschel from the New York Mets, following the Mets’ disappointing finish to the 2025 MLB season. Druschel’s switch back to the Bronx comes less than a month after the Mets suffered a dramatic collapse, going from first place in the NL East to missing the playoffs entirely.
ESPN broke the news late Sunday night, confirming that Druschel will resume his role on Aaron Boone‘s staff. This decision follows the Mets’ decision to move in a different direction for their new pitching coach after Druschel was considered a leading candidate to succeed Jeremy Hefner. Druschel, 50, originally joined the Yankees’ organization in 2019 as a minor-league instructor and has since made his way up the ranks.
The Mets granted Druschel permission to explore opportunities outside their organization, indicating their intent to overhaul the coaching staff after a disappointing finish. The team ended the season with an 83-79 record, losing the final NL wild-card playoff spot, which adds urgency to their restructuring efforts.
With Druschel’s departure, the Mets are set to have a total of seven new coaches next season, including changes in hitting and bench coaching positions. The Mets’ coaching upheaval is a direct response to their fall from a record of 62-44 on July 27 to a staggering loss of 35 of their final 54 games.
Meanwhile, the Yankees are making adjustments after being knocked out of the Division Series by the American League champion Blue Jays. In addition to Druschel’s return, the Yankees are also undergoing changes in their coaching staff, including the departure of long-time bullpen coach Mike Harkey and the promotion of Jake Hirst from minor-league hitting coordinator to assistant hitting coach.
The urgency surrounding these coaching changes is palpable, as both teams seek to rebound from disappointing seasons. Fans are eager to see how these new developments will play out as the offseason unfolds.
As the Yankees and Mets continue to reshape their coaching staff, all eyes will be on how these changes impact their performance in the upcoming season. For now, Druschel’s return to the Yankees marks a significant moment in the ongoing rivalry between these two New York teams, and it could set the stage for an intriguing 2026 season.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
