NORTHWEST NOTES: Friday, Dec. 2, 2016

Hagen takes over as

Spokane Indians manager

The Texas Rangers announced the 2017 field staffs for their minor league affiliates on Thursday, and the Spokane Indians will have a new manager for the first time since 2007 as Matt Hagen, a veteran of 11 years in professional baseball, takes over for Tim Hulett.

Hagen will be joined by Chase Lambin (hitting coach), Joey Seaver (pitching coach) and Turtle Thomas (coach), while Ed Yong (strength and conditioning coach), and Luke Teeters (trainer) round out the staff.

Hagen, a native of Watsonville, Calif., spent last season as a coach with the Hickory Crawdads of the South Atlantic League. The 36-year-old was drafted in the 12th round of the 2002 draft out of Liberty University by the Seattle Mariners and spent 11 years in minor league and independent ball, including time in the NWL as a player for the Everett AquaSox. Hagen’s coaching career also consists of time with the Inland Empire 66ers, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, Liberty University, and the University of Texas.

Lambin, who served as an assistant coach with the Indians in 2015, will return to the Inland Northwest after spending last year with the Arizona League Rangers. Originally selected in the 34th round of the 2002 draft, Lambin retired from professional baseball in 2014 following 11 seasons in the minors and a stint with the Chiba Lotte Marines of the Japan Pacific League.

Seaver is back for his second year as pitching coach for the Indians after holding that same role during the 2016 season. The Tennessee native joined the Rangers staff in 2014 following a successful run as a pitching coach at the junior college level. Seaver, who pitched at the University of Tennessee, was drafted four times as an amateur and pitched professionally in the Milwaukee Brewers farm system.

Spokane will host Boise to open the season on Thursday, June 15 at Avista Stadium.