The Pittsburgh Pirates have appointed Matt Hague as their new hitting coach, marking his return to the franchise that drafted him in 2008. This change comes after the team's disappointing performance last season, where they ranked poorly in key offensive categories and set a club record for strikeouts.

Hague, who previously served as an assistant hitting coach for the Toronto Blue Jays, had a brief playing career in the majors and has since transitioned into coaching. The Pirates are now focused on improving their lineup, particularly to support their promising pitching prospects.