Perez joins Astros staff

MIAMI — To Marlins’ fans, there are plenty of familiar faces on the Astros’ coaching staff.

Former Miami hitting coach Eduardo Perez on Monday was named Houston’s bench coach.

Perez is the third ex-Marlins’  coach to join the Astros.  Houston, of course, is now managed by Bo Porter, who coached third base for the Marlins a few years ago.

And Astros hitting coach is John Mallee, who held the same position on Edwin Rodriguez’s staff two years ago.

The Marlins are in the process of finalizing new manager Mike Redmond’s staff. The only coaches  committed to 2013 are Joe Espada and Reid Cornelius. Espada will coach third base. And Cornelius was the bullpen coach in ’12.

Perry Hill, one of the most respected infield coaches in the game, will return to the organization.

– Joe Frisaro