Adair not returning, O's start search for pitching coach

BALTIMORE -- Pitching coach Rick Adair, who took a leave of absence during the 2013 season, will not return to the Orioles next year. The team has begun looking for a replacement, with the hope that it can find someone by the end of the month.

Adair, who left in August for personal reasons, was replaced by bullpen coach Billy Castro for the remainder of the season. The O's will interview Castro for the job along with Rangers bullpen coach Andy Hawkins, who was Texas' Triple-A pitching coach in manager Buck Showalter's final year with the club.

There will be several other interviews, and Showalter will work in conjunction with executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette throughout the process. The Orioles would prefer to hire from outside of the organization in order to keep their Minor League staff, including well-regarded Triple-A pitching coach Mike Griffin -- who will still be considered -- in place.