ARLINGTON -- The Rangers have hired Mike Franco to be their mental skills coach at the Major League level and Al Sandoval to be their assistant strength and conditioning coach.

Sandoval worked as the strength and conditioning coach for Class A Advanced Down East in 2017, Triple-A Round Rock in '18 and Triple-A Nashville in '19. He worked at the Rangers' alternate training site this past season, and he is a four-time winner of the Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year Award during his Minor League career.

Franco comes to the Rangers from the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, as he previously worked as a mental skills coach for the Mavs and their NBA G League affiliate, the Texas Legends. He has overseen the implementation and development of the mental skills program for the Legends’ players and staff, while also having extensive duties and responsibilities with the Mavericks.

Franco assumes the role previously held by Josiah Igono, who resigned in October to pursue other opportunities. Sandoval replaces Rob Fumagalli, who left the organization to join the Reds.