66ers manager Collins resigns

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers announced their second unexpected staff change of the week on Wednesday, when Class A Advanced Inland Empire manager Dave Collins resigned due to family reasons.

Inland Empire hitting coach and former Red Sox infielder John Valentin was promoted to replace Collins, and former Dodgers outfielder Henry Cruz, who served as Rookie-level Ogden's hitting coach last season, will move up to serve in the same capacity for the 66ers.

Earlier this week, Major League batting coach Don Mattingly stepped aside for family reasons and was reassigned as a special assignment coach. Triple-A Las Vegas batting coach Mike Easler was promoted to replace Mattingly. Assistant general manager De Jon Watson has said he will hire a replacement for Easler from outside the organization.

Collins, 55, joined the Dodgers a year ago and managed Inland Empire to a 72-67 overall record, finishing in a tie for the first-half lead and reaching the playoffs with a wild-card berth. Players from that squad who participated in the recent prospect minicamp were James McDonald, Corey Wade, Blake DeWitt, Lucas May, Josh Bell, Mario Alvarez, Ramon Troncoso and Ivan DeJesus.