Detroit Tigers third base coach leaves team midseason

Detroit Tigers third base coach Joey Cora has left the club during his third season on the job. Manager A.J. Hinch said Tuesday the separation resulted from philosophical differences. "We both just agreed it's probably best for the players and everybody to separate," Hinch stated.

Background on departure Hinch described Cora as instrumental during his tenure but said the decision was limited to baseball matters. "I thanked him profusely," Hinch said. " Cora, a native of Puerto Rico, previously served as a base coach for five seasons with Pittsburgh and two seasons with the New York Mets.

He is the older brother of former Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora.

Staff adjustment Billy Boyer, a first-year member of the staff handling quality control, will move to third base coach for the remainder of the season. The club announced the change before Tuesday night's 6-2 win over the Athletics. Hinch said he does not expect the team to become more conservative on the base paths.

"The style of play is ingrained in what we do," Hinch stated. " Tigers catcher Jake Rogers learned of the move in a text Monday night and said it hit him hard.