Just over two weeks removed from president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman suggesting the Los Angeles Dodgers coaching staff would remain intact for 2027, there instead is going to be some change under manager Dave Roberts.

That stems from hitting coach Aaron Bates and the Dodgers parting ways after his contract expired following the 2026 season. The outcome was one that caught Bates by surprise, according to Maddie Lee of the L.A. Times.

“Basically, they said, ‘I think we should go our separate ways,” Bates told The Times. “I was just very taken aback, in a sense, by that.”

“I expect status quo,” Friedman answered last month when asked if there would be changes within the Dodgers front office or coaching staff. “Still working through things, but expect status quo.”

Friedman’s remarks came despite external calls for change — particularly with the offensive coaches — due to the team’s struggles in October for a second consecutive year. Bates had been co-hitting coach alongside Robert Van Scoyoc.

Van Scoyoc remains on the Dodgers coaching staff heading into the 2027 season.

Even with a lull during the summer months, the Dodgers finished the year near the top in several offensive categories. Among them were batting average (second, .257), on-base percentage (third, .338), on-base plus slugging (second, .762) and home runs (tied for seventh, 204). Their 111 wRC+ trailed only the Chicago Cubs for the best mark in baseball.

The Dodgers additionally were named a finalist for the National League team Silver Slugger Award, and Shohei Ohtani and Max Muncy were at their respective positions as well.

Aaron Bates’ history as Dodgers coach

Bates began his career in the Dodgers organization as a Minor League player in 2014. He only appeared in 11 games for Double-A Chattanooga that season and embarked on a coaching career in 2015. He worked as a Minor League hitting coach and coordinator for three seasons before joining the Dodgers coaching staff as an assistant hitting coach in 2019.

Following a four-year stint in that role, Bates was promoted to co-hitting coach along with Van Scoyoc in 2023, and remained in that position through this season.

The Dodgers are evaluating whether to find a replacement to Bates’ position or move ahead with Van Scoyoc as their lone official hitting coach.