Valaika, the former Reds infielder who played four seasons in the Majors, has spent the past three seasons as the Guardians’ hitting coach, including two of those years under Francona.

The Reds’ third-round draft pick in 2006 replaces Joel McKeithan as hitting coach. All three members of the big league team’s hitting coaching staff were fired after the season, along with infield coach Jeff Pickler.

A number of other coaches from this season’s staff are expected back, but the team has not yet announced those decisions, with the exception of returning pitching coach Derek Johnson.