By JANIE McCAULEY
AP Baseball Writer
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Former Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington has been hired as a major league coach for the Oakland Athletics, returning to the club where he was a coach for 11 years.
The A's announced the hiring of Washington on Thursday and said he would be with the team all season.
Washington's defensive expertise will be a key addition given the team's struggles so far. He can be in uniform but can't be on the bench during games.
Washington said he heard from general manager Billy Beane on Wednesday and would meet the club in Tampa, Florida, on Friday. Oakland is last in the AL West and leads the majors in errors with 44 errors, including 16 by shortstop Marcus Semien.
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