Orioles make Chiti hiring official, Castro won't return to organization

The Orioles confirmed today that former Braves special assistant Dom Chiti has been hired as bullpen coach. Chiti joins new pitching coach Dave Wallace, who previously served as Atlanta's minor league pitching coordinator. Bill Castro and Scott McGregor were offered positions in the organization. However, Castro said he will pursue other opportunities. McGregor will return to his former role of pitching rehab coordinator in Sarasota. Prior to working in Atlanta, Chiti was part of the Rangers organization and served in multiple roles from 2002-2008. Chiti served as bullpen coach in 2006-08, including manager Buck Showalter's final season with the Rangers. He previously worked as director of player personnel from 2004-2005 season and special assistant to the general manager from 2002-03). He was the club's advance scout in the first half of the 2004 season. Chiti, 54, also spent 12 years (1989-2001) in the Indians organization. He served as the club's American League advance scout from 1996-2001 after joining the team in 1989 as a roving minor league instructor. He was promoted to bullpen coach in 1992 and served as an advance scout in 1994. In 1995, he was the pitching coach for Triple-A Buffalo, which made the International League playoffs. Chiti's coaching career began in the Orioles organization in 1982, where he spent nine seasons serving as a minor league pitching coach and roving instructor. Castro said he spoke yesterday with executive vice president Dan Duquette about a variety of roles, including major league scout, but he's going to search for a coaching position. "I like being on the field and in uniform teaching guys and competing," said Castro, who was hired as bullpen coach in 2012 and became pitching coach on Aug. 15, 2013 when Rick Adair took a personal leave of absence. "I wasn't too happy with the way things went down. I thought I did a good job with both of them, pitching coach and bullpen coach, but I understand a new pitching coach wanting his own people." Castro expressed disappointment that he didn't hear from the Orioles sooner and was "left hanging." "I thought I had a job either way and nobody called. I found out from you guys on the Internet," he said. "I don't think it was handled the right way. I thought I was coming back either way, and in the meantime, I didn't pursue other jobs. And now I'm out. But I'm going to keep looking for a major league coaching job." Castro added that he would decline the scouting position even if he's unable to hook on with another organization.