New York Mets hire Omar Minaya as special assistant to GM

Omar Minaya is headed back to the New York Mets.

Minaya, who served as general manager of the Mets from 2004 to 2010, was named as the special assistant to GM Sandy Alderson, the team announced Friday.

Alderson succeeded Minaya as general manager in 2010.

"Omar has a long history with the Mets," Alderson said in a statement. "He has served the club well in many different areas. Omar will be a resource on scouting and player development, will consult on player acquisitions and will serve as a community ambassador. We are very happy to have him back in the organization."

Minaya, 59, expressed his excitement through a statement.

"I'm excited to return to an organization that I love," Minaya said. "I'm thrilled I can return to scouting and developing young talent. I look forward to working for Sandy and his staff."

Minaya initially joined the Mets in 1997 as senior assistant general manager in charge of the team's international scouting department. The Dominican held that post until 2002, when he became baseball's first Hispanic general manager when he took the helm of the Montreal Expos.

He then rejoined the Mets before serving as vice president of baseball operations for the San Diego Padres from 2011 to 2015.