Reno Aces name Greg Gross interim manager

RENO – Aces hitting coach Greg Gross has been named interim manager of the Reno Aces.

Arizona Diamondbacks bench coach, Ron Gardenhire, announced last Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and newly named Aces manager Jerry Narron will move to the parent club until Gardenhire returns.

Gross returns for his fifth season in Reno after spending 2010-2012 as the hitting coach of the Philadelphia Phillies. Under Gross, the Aces have consistently been among the Pacific Coast League’s best in numerous offensive categories. Last season, the Aces finished second in the Pacific Coast League in triples (53) and third in average (.280), runs (726), hits (1,393), doubles (287), RBI (686), total bases (2,206), slugging percentage (.444) and OPS (.782).

Narron, who has five years of Major League managerial experience on his résumé, including stints with the Texas Rangers (2001-02) and Cincinnati Reds (2005-07), posted an overall record of 291-341 (.460) in his MLB managerial career.

“I’m going to fight it and deal with it,” said Gardenhire, who was set to begin his first season in Arizona after the team hired him this past November. “It’s a bump in the road, and it’s not how I envisioned starting spring training with a brand-new team. It’s part of life.”

“We would like to send our thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Ron Gardenhire,” said Eric Edelstein, president of the Reno Aces and Reno 1868 FC. “We hope for a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing Ron back on the field soon.”