Mets fire pair of hitting coaches

NEW YORK - The New York Mets say they will replace hitting coach Lamar Johnson and assistant hitting coach Luis Natera.

They have been offered jobs in the Mets' minor league system, New York said Thursday.

Johnson became hitting coach when Dave Hudgens was fired on May 26, and Natera filled the new position of assistant on March 24.

New York also said Mike Barwis had been hired to oversee major and minor league strength and conditioning. Barwis will remain a consultant, a position he's held since 2011, and will be involved in hiring and supervising the team's strength and conditioning coaches.

Jim Malone will leave the team after two years as major league strength and conditioning coach.