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Indians hitting coach Ty Van Burkleo is opting out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns.
Van Burkleo has a personal high-risk condition and family reasons that made it necessary for him to step aside this season. Wish him the best. #Indians
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) August 7, 2020
He is the second Indians coach to opt out, following bench coach Brad Mills, who did so before the season began.
Van Burkleo, 56, has been the Indians’ hitting coach under Terry Francona since 2013. Since he took over (with the help of a couple superstar hitters), the Indians rank ninth in baseball with an even 100 weighted runs created plus, third in on-base percentage at .327, and they have the third lowest strikeout rate at 19.8%.
Prior to joining the Indians, Van Burkleo coached the Mariners, Astros, Athletics and he played Nippon Professional Baseball and Major League Baseball from 1988 to 1994.