Here’s the Warthen release:

Metairie, LA – Zephyrs Manager Ken Oberkfell and hitting coach Jack Voigt will return to the Zephyrs dugout in 2008, but the team has added Dan Warthen as its new pitching coach, replacing Mark Brewer.

Warthen was the bullpen coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers for the past two years, and returns to the New York Mets organization for the second time. Before joining the Dodgers, Warthen had spent the past three seasons in the Mets organization. He served as the pitching coach for the Triple-A Norfolk Tides in 2004 and 2005. Warthen began his coaching career in 1981 with Pittsburgh and has spent time at the big league level with Los Angeles, Detroit, San Diego and Seattle and has coached in the minors for Philadelphia and the Mets.

As a player Warthen pitched four seasons in the Major Leagues, finishing his career with a 12-21 record and 4.31 lifetime ERA. He made his Major League debut as a 22-year-old on May 18, 1975 with the Montreal Expos, pitching a scoreless eighth inning against Cincinnati.

The Mets and Zephyrs are entering the second year of a two-year player development deal signed before the 2007 season.

The Zephyrs open the 2008 season at home against the Nashville Sounds on Thursday, April 3^rd at 7:00 PM.  Tickets can be purchased by calling the New Orleans Zephyrs at (504) 734-5155.