Casey won't return as Yankees hitting coach

NEW YORK -- The Yankees are in the market for a new hitting coach.

Sean Casey will not return next season due to family concerns, the former big leaguer announced Wednesday on his podcast, “The Mayor’s Office.”

According to Casey, there had been preliminary discussions with manager Aaron Boone about a possible return in 2024, though no formal offer was made by the organization.

“I just told [Boone] that I’m not going to be able to come back next year,” Casey said. “I’ve got my two daughters at home (ages 13 and 17). Getting divorced a few years ago, I have those girls 50 percent of the time. I just can’t imagine being away for eight months in New York while they’re here in Pittsburgh.”

Casey, 49, moved from the MLB Network studio to the dugout at the All-Star break last season when the Bombers dismissed hitting coach Dillon Lawson. The change marked the first in-season coaching change of Brian Cashman’s tenure as general manager.

In 71 games after Casey joined assistant hitting coaches Casey Dykes and Brad Wilkerson, the Yanks posted a .221/.307/.381 slash line (.688 OPS), compared with a .231/.301/.410 slash line (.711 OPS) under Lawson.

Boone said that Casey’s arrival had provided “a breath of fresh air,” while Casey received plaudits from veterans like Aaron Judge and DJ LeMahieu.

“Being able to wear the pinstripes was actually a dream come true,” Casey said. “There’s nothing like having a chance to walk out and have Yankee Stadium every night be your office. Those are the best fans in baseball. They are literally, every night, ready to go.”

The Yankees finished the season with 82 wins, good for fourth in the American League East, while missing the postseason for the first time since 2016.

“It was a lot of fun. I just enjoyed my time,” Casey said. “I must admit, it was a tough decision for me. There was no offer made, but I do think I could have come back, had I wanted to. The time right now is not perfect for me. We’ll see what happens in the next few years here.”