Lopez returns as Astros' manager
"We are looking forward to having Omar back in Greeneville to lead our team for another season," said Greeneville Astros General Manager David Lane. "His passion to develop young talent and produce a winner was apparent last year. Having him return is definitely a positive thing for our team and our community."
Lopez, 34, will be entering his fifth season as a manager in the Houston Astros organization. Prior to joining Greeneville, Lopez managed the Venezuelan Summer League Astros in 2008 and the GCL Astros for two seasons from 2009-10. While with the GCL Astros, he earned the Astros 2010 Player Development Man of the Year.
Mercado will be promoted from the GCL Astros to Greeneville to serve as a pitching coach for the third consecutive season. Mercado had a 15-year professional playing career.
Cedeno returns to the organization in a full-time role in 2012 for the first time since 2001. Cedeno played 12 seasons (1970-81) with the Astros, collecting five Gold Gloves as an outfielder and appearing in four All-Star Games. Following his playing career, Cedeno served as a coach or instructor for the organization for 10 seasons (1990-94, 1997-2001). His last full-time coaching stint was in 2009 with Washington's organization.
In keeping up with former Greeneville field staff members, several will still be working at different levels throughout the Astros organization. From the 2011 field staff, hitting coach Josh Bonifay will join manager Ivan DeJesus in Class A Lexington. DeJesus managed Greeneville during the 2006 season. Greeneville's 2010 pitching coach, Dave Borkowski, and athletic trainer from 2008-10, Grant Hufford, will both return to the Legends' staff.
Rodney Linares, who managed in Lexington for the past two seasons following his time in Greeneville from 2007-09, was promoted to Class A Lancaster. He will have a familiar face there as Bryan Baca returns for his second season as the athletic trainer with the JetHawks. Baca began his 6-year run with the Astros on Linares' staff in Greeneville in 2007.
The Class Short-Season A Tri-City ValleyCats will have Stubby Clapp return for a second season as manager. Clapp previously served as Greeneville's hitting coach in 2007 and 2009. During his final season in Greeneville, Clapp was on the same staff with Tri-City's new pitching coach, Rick Aponte, who was also on Greeneville's staff last season. Along with Aponte, athletic trainer Michael Rendon will also be promoted from last year's Greeneville staff.
Finally, 2010 manager Ed Romero will return to Florida to manage the GCL Astros for a second season.