Chicago White Sox tab Rick Renteria as bench coach

He’ll swap sides, but Rick Renteria will be back in Chicago.

Renteria, who served as the Cubs manager prior to Joe Maddon taking over this season, was named White Sox bench coach on Tuesday. The club’s previous bench coach, Mark Parent, was let go following the 2015 season.

“He brings a lot to the table with his background as a manager and bench coach and his ability to communicate well with players,” manager Robin Ventura said in the team’s statement.

According to Scott Merkin of MLB.com, other candidates considered for the job included Manny Acta, Sandy Alomar Jr., Raúl Ibañez and current White Sox third-base coach Joe McEwing.

The Cubs compiled a 73-89 mark in Renteria’s lone year as skipper, but Renteria’s managerial experience goes far beyond the one season. Renteria had previously served in minor league coaching capacities, including as a manager and hitting coach, as well as the first-base coach and bench coach for the Padres.

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The White Sox also named Greg Sparks as an assistant hitting coach. Sparks, 51, was a career minor leaguer during his playing days and has spent nearly the past two decades in the Athletics organization as a hitting coordinator and hitting coach.