Ryan Flaherty hired as bench coach on manager Craig Counsell’s first staff with the Chicago Cubs

CHICAGO - Ryan Flaherty is the new bench coach on manager Craig Counsell's first staff with the Chicago Cubs.

The Cubs announced their major league staff on Tuesday, which includes 10 returning coaches from last year. Counsell was hired by Chicago in November, replacing David Ross in a surprise move.

The newcomers include bullpen coach Darren Holmes and major league field coordinator Mark Strittmatter. John Mallee, who served as the Cubs' hitting coach from 2015-17, is an assistant hitting coach after spending last season as Triple-A Iowa’s hitting coach.

Tommy Hottovy (pitching coach), Dustin Kelly (hitting coach), Willie Harris (third base) and Mike Napoli (first) are all back from the 2023 staff.

The 37-year-old Flaherty worked for the Padres for the past four years, spending the 2023 season as the team's bench coach/offensive coordinator. He was selected by the Cubs with the No. 41 pick in the 2008 amateur draft, and the infielder played for Baltimore, Atlanta and Cleveland during eight seasons in the majors.

Pat Murphy had been Counsell's longtime bench coach in Milwaukee, but he was promoted to manager after Counsell departed.