LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers dismissed Don Mattingly’s bench coach, Trey Hillman, and advance scout Wade Taylor on Tuesday.
Hillman was told in a 30-minute meeting by general manager Ned Colletti. The Dodgers have not announced the moves.
“It wasn’t easy for him,” said Hillman. “He was very professional. I’m disappointed. I appreciated the opportunity to coach for this organization for three years. I loved the environment and loved working for Donnie. I wish the organization many years of success. It’s a great organization and I was blessed to be part of it.”
Hillman said he dropped Mattingly off at the airport before his meeting with Colletti and Mattingly “didn’t know what the meeting was about.”
Mattingly’s status is likely to remain unresolved until after the World Series, according to a baseball source, while the remainder of the coaching staff could be settled within the next few days.
Removing Hillman could be a sign of a compromise between ownership, which has reportedly been unhappy with Mattingly’s game management, and Mattingly, who indicated he would return as manager only with assurances from the club that he was wanted.
The 2014 club option on Mattingly vested when the Dodgers reached the National League Championship Series. Mattingly said on Monday that his entire coaching staff would return if he had his way.
The 50-year-old Hillman managed the Kansas City Royals from 2008-10 after a successful stint with the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan from 2003-07. He managed in the New York Yankees farm system from 1990-2001, during which he and Mattingly became friends.
Hillman said Colletti raised the possibility of Hillman remaining in the organization in another capacity. Hillman said he will first pursue Major League opportunities.
Taylor, who pitched for the Yankees in 1991 and played in their organization for six seasons, also was close to Mattingly.
Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.