Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch has reached out to Don Kelly after his promotion to manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates following Derek Shelton's dismissal. Having shared a past with Kelly, who was a utility player for the Tigers from 2009 to 2014 and served as Hinch's bench coach with Houston in 2019, Hinch offered his insights on transitioning to a managerial role. He expressed understanding of Kelly's mix of excitement and disappointment over Shelton's firing. The mutual respect and camaraderie fostered during their time together have enabled Hinch to provide mentorship as Kelly navigates the challenges of leading an MLB team.

A.J. Hinch has a wealth of managerial experience across 12 seasons, with significant victories under his belt, including 902 wins. He emphasized the whirlwind that comes with taking over a managerial position midseason. As the Pirates prepare for their interleague games against the Tigers, Hinch hopes to see Kelly thrive in this pivotal role, while also acknowledging the memory of his close friend Shelton.