Arizona Diamondbacks begin pitching-coach interviews

On the day the Diamondbacks formally began the interview process for their vacant pitching-coach job, Chief Baseball Officer Tony La Russa revealed the club is also anticipating a second opening on its coaching staff with the expected departure of bullpen coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr.

Stottlemyre was expected to be a candidate to be the pitching coach, a job that opened when the club parted ways with Mike Harkey earlier this month. But, La Russa said, Stottlemyre informed the team he wanted to be closer to his family in the Pacific Northwest, where his father, Mel Sr., is battling cancer.

“He’s been with us a long time and told us it was a dream situation be considered for the pitching-coach job, but that his first priority is his dad and if he had an opportunity to be closer to his family that would be his preference,” La Russa said.

La Russa said Seattle Mariners General Manager Jerry Dipoto formally requested permission from the Diamondbacks to speak with Stottlemyre about a major league coaching position. The Mariners have vacancies at pitching coach and bullpen coach.

“My guess is, that’s going to happen,” La Russa said of Stottlemyre going to the Mariners in some capacity.

La Russa said the Diamondbacks interviewed minor league pitching coordinator Dan Carlson on Monday morning for a position on their major league staff.

La Russa declined to name any other candidates for the positions, but he said the team could talk to as many six internal candidates. He said they’ve already requested permission to talk to a handful of other external candidates and could seek permission to speak with more.

As for what characteristics the team wants out of its next pitching coach, La Russa said his model is Dave Duncan, his former longtime pitching coach who is now a special assistant in the organization.

“There are about 10 boxes and categories of responsibilities that you want to cover,” La Russa said. “We’re looking for someone who puts a check in as many boxes as possible. 'Dunc' put a check in every one of them.”

Short hop

The Diamondbacks have added Tim Wilken and Mark Snipp as special assistants. Both interviewed for the club’s scouting director job this time last year. Wilken spent the past 10 years with the Chicago Cubs, serving as their scouting director from 2006-12; Snipp most recently was a high-ranking scout with the Cincinnati Reds.