Former New York Yankees star Don Mattingly was promoted from batting coach to bench coach of the Bronx Bombers on Wednesday, bolstering speculation he is being groomed as a successor to long-time manager Joe Torre.

Mattingly, who joined the Yankees staff in 2004 after being a special spring training instructor the previous seven years, will be replaced as hitting coach by Kevin Long, 39, who did that job the last three years for Triple-A Columbus.

Torre's bench coach in 2006 was former Baltimore Orioles manager Lee Mazzilli, whose contract was not renewed for the 2007 season.

Torre, who has steered the Yankees into the playoffs in every one of his 11 seasons in the Bronx, is in the last year of his contract as manager.

Mattingly, 45, had a stellar 14-season playing career as the Yankees first baseman, breaking in briefly in 1982 and retiring after the 1995 season.

He had his only taste of playoff baseball in 1995 when he was hindered by an ailing back that forced him from the game. The popular Mattingly was one of the lone bright spots for the Yankees during a period that did not bring postseason success.

Mattingly was a six-time All Star, the American League Most Valuable Player in 1985 and won nine Gold Glove Awards.