New Mets Rumors Reveal Hitting Coach Hire for Andy Green's Staff Ahead of 2027 MLB Season

The New York Mets are continuing to bolster their coaching staff ahead of the 2027 MLB season, as they are hiring Johnny Washington as a co-hitting coach, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported on Thursday.

Washington previously worked as a minor league hitting coordinator for the Atlanta Braves. He'll join a Mets hitting staff that includes hitting coach Troy Snitker and assistant hitting coach Rafael Fernandez.

Washington was drafted by the Rangers in 2003, but ultimately pivoted to coaching after bouncing around minor league ball for six seasons. He began his coaching career in the minors for the Los Angeles Dodgers and was ultimately promoted to first base coach for the San Diego Padres in 2017.

Notably, Mets manager Andy Green was serving as the Padres manager when Washington began his coaching stint with the team.

Green became the Mets interim manager after the club fired Carlos Mendoza during the 2026 season. New York gave Green a three-year extension in September, and the 49-year-old has started his first offseason by filling the club's coaching vacancies with familiar faces and former players.

Washington will fill a much-needed role, particularly since the Mets parted ways with director of major league hitting Jeff Albert after their disappointing 2026 season. Albert's duties may be split between Snitker, Washington and other coaches on the current staff.

Washington became the third former player to join New York's coaching staff this offseason. He will join a staff that just added A.J. Ellis as the strategy coordinator earlier this week.

Ellis, a former MLB catcher who had an 11-year career in the majors, played his final season with the San Diego Padres in 2018, when Green was the manager. He began his career in the front office as a special assistant for the Padres after his retirement. The Mets also hired Mariano Duncan, who had a 12-year career as a shortstop and second baseman, in a new role earlier this offseason.

Kevin Long and John Mallee were named as potential hitting coach candidates for the Mets but ultimately didn't join the club.