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Braves hire new coaches, Pendleton and Perez offered new positions

The announcement comes before MLB reveals the finding of its investigation on the Braves.
Sep 23, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; General view as the sun sets during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Braves have announced the latest additions to their coaching staff, including former Colorado Rockies manager Walt Weiss as the team's new bench coach.

The Braves announced the addition of three new coaches on Friday, and coaches Terry Pendleton and Eddie Perez have been offered new positions with the organization, although it was not specified which positions.

A spokesperson for the Braves told 11Alive Pendleton and Perez have not yet accepted the positions.

The Braves extended manager Brian Snitker's contract for a year last month.

In addition to hiring Weiss, who managed the Rockies from 2013-16, as the team's new bench coach, the Braves hired Eric Young Sr. as the first base and outfield coach and Sal Fasano as the catching coach. Pendleton was the team's former bench coach.

Hitting coach Kevin Seitzer and assistant hitting coach Jose Castro will each return for their fourth season with the Braves. Marty Reed will return for his third season as the bullpen coach. Pitching coach Chuck Hernandez and third base coach Ron Washington will also return.

The announcement comes before MLB releases its investigation into the club possibly violating rules regarding the international player market which led to the resignations of former general manager John Coppolella and special assistant to the general manager Gordon Blakely.

11Alive learned that MLB is still investigating the Braves and held interviews as recently as Thursday with those involved.

Weiss was previously a bench coach with the Rockies from 2002-08. Weiss played in the league for 14 seasons and finished his playing career with the Braves from 1998-2000.

Young worked on Weiss' staff in Colorado from 2014-16 as the team's first base coach. Fasano was with the Los Angeles Angels last season managing its Double-A team.

There were multiple reports that said Pendleton and Perez would likely be out as Braves coaches. However, like former manager Bobby Cox, the Braves have found a way to keep them within the organization.

Pendleton played third base for the Braves in the 1990s and was the NL MVP in 1991. He was brought on by the Braves 10 years later as a hitting coach for the club. He has been a candidate for a few managerial positions in the past, including the Braves after Cox retired. He was moved to first base coach in 2010 under Fredi Gonzalez, then bench coach under Snitker.

Perez was the Braves catcher from 1995-2001, winning a World Series with the team in 1995. He was hired as the team's bullpen coach in 2007, and he was moved to first base under Snitker.

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