Mets hire longtime MLB catcher A.J. Ellis as staff shakeup continues

The New York Mets are hiring former major league catcher A.J. Ellis as the team's new strategy coordinator, a source confirmed to The Post's Mike Puma. Ellis, who spent 11 seasons playing in the majors, had worked as a special assistant in the San Diego Padres' front office since 2019. He is expected to aid the Mets' pitching program with both game-planning and pitch-calling.

Ellis previously played under current Mets manager Andy Green with San Diego in 2018. His arrival continues an ongoing staff overhaul following a disappointing campaign that saw manager Carlos Mendoza dismissed in May. Green subsequently took over and earned a three-year contract extension, while the Mets also parted ways with hitting director Jeff Albert and elevated Mariano Duncan to the major league coaching staff.