HOUSTON -- The Astros continued to fill out their coaching staff this week by hiring veteran coach Tim Cossins as the team's new catching coach, a source told MLB.com on Thursday. The team has not confirmed the hiring.
The hiring of Cossins comes one week after the club announced the addition of Anthony Iapoce as hitting coach, where he will assist hitting coach Victor Rodríguez. Rodríguez was hired earlier in November after two seasons with the Padres. In announcing the hiring of Iapoce, the club also announced the promotion of Dan Hennigan as director of hitting and offensive coordinator, though he won't be in uniform.
Cossins, 55, spent the previous seven seasons as the Orioles' Major League field coordinator and catching instructor after holding similar positions with the Cubs (2013-18) and Marlins (2008-12). He also managed for several seasons in the Marlins' system and was the bullpen catcher for the Royals from 2000-01.
Cossins was dismissed by the Orioles on May 17, along with manager Brandon Hyde, who is the brother-in-law to Astros manager Joe Espada. Cossins was one of Hyde’s closest confidants and worked closely with Baltimore catcher Adley Rutschman.
The Astros are still looking to fill the role of a pitching coach to work with Joshua Miller. The club didn’t renew the contracts of hitting coaches Alex Cintrón and Troy Snitker or catching coach Michael Collins after last season. Pitching coach Bill Murphy was hired by the Pirates. Cintrón (Rangers) and Snitker (Mets) have both landed a new job.