The San Diego Padres have hired Mark Kotsay as their hitting coach.

Kotsay is the seventh person to hold the job since Petco Park opened in 2004.

The recently-retired Major Leaguer replaces Phil Plantier, who was fired after the end of last season.

"I'm not really worried about job security. In my role, I look at it as an opportunity to get back into the game that I love, the opportunity to be part of a great coaching staff and help lead this group of hitters in the direction we foresee," Kotsay said.