Nats bring back Schu, after all; add Jacque Jones, Speier
WASHINGTON (AP) The Nationals are bringing back Rick Schu as their hitting coach and adding former major leaguers Jacques Jones as an assistant hitting coach and Chris Speiers as bench coach or third base coach.
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Wednesday that new Washington manager Dusty Baker will decide on Speier's exact role. Speier also will coach infielders and serve as a defensive coordinator.
Schu was part of last year's coaching staff, which was let go entirely when former manager Matt Williams was fired last month after Washington failed to make the playoffs.
Rizzo says Schu did ''an admirable job,'' has ''a great rapport with some of our star players'' and was ''highly recommended'' by members of the team.
Also, right-hander David Carpenter refused an outright assignment to Triple-A Syracuse and elected free agency.
