Joey Cora leaves Mets for Tigers after Carlos Mendoza hire

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Mets’ third-base coaching position is officially vacant.

Joey Cora, who spent the last two seasons as the third-base coach on manager Buck Showalter’s staff, has accepted a coaching position with the Tigers, an industry source confirmed Wednesday.

Cora, 58, also served as the Mets infield coach.

Cora’s contract with the Mets expired at the end of last month.

The team hired Carlos Mendoza as manager on Monday, but the coaching staff remains in flux.

Pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, who has two years remaining on his contract, is expected back.

Others with expired contracts include first-base coach Wayne Kirby and information coach Danny Barnes.

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