LOS ANGELES -- Don Mattingly, named by the Dodgers as hitting coach two months ago and the presumed eventual replacement for new manager Joe Torre, stepped aside on Tuesday for family reasons and was replaced by Triple-A hitting coach Mike Easler.

Mattingly will remain in the organization as a special assignment coach, but requested the change so he could spend more time at home in Evansville, Ind. He also requested that further details of his situation not be released. Mattingly took the Dodgers job after losing out to Joe Girardi for the Yankees' manager job that Torre formerly held.

"I'm very grateful that the Dodgers have allowed me to take care of these family matters and I hope that everyone can respect our privacy during this time," Mattingly said in a released statement. "I truly appreciate the support of all Dodger fans since joining the organization and I look forward to helping the team win in 2008 and beyond."

Mattingly, 46, was Torre's bench coach in 2007 after three years as hitting coach. As a player, he was one of the premier first basemen of his generation, ending a 14-year career in 1995. He won nine Gold Gloves, was a six-time All-Star, had a career batting average of .307 and was the American League MVP in 1985 with 35 home runs and 145 RBIs.

Mattingly's son, Preston, was drafted by the Dodgers as a supplemental first-round pick in 2006 and played at Class A in 2007, hitting .210.

Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said he was surprised when Mattingly told him of his plans about 10 days ago. Mattingly had already become an influential member of the staff, attending the Winter Meetings and the recent mini-camp for prospects.

Colletti said Mattingly would spend limited time with the club in Spring Training and would scout the Minor League clubs, but his schedule and responsibilities were not yet defined.

"It's one of those situations he needs to take care of and we support that completely," said Colletti.

Easler, 57, had a 14-year Major League career and was a Major League hitting coach with Milwaukee, Boston and St. Louis. He was hitting coach for the Dodgers' Double-A affiliate in Jacksonville in 2006 and moved up to the same role with Triple-A Las Vegas last year.

Colletti said Easler was an obvious choice because of the close timing to the start of Spring Training and because of his successful work with prospects that have already made an impact on the Major League level -- namely Matt Kemp, James Loney, Andy LaRoche, Tony Abreu and Chin-lung Hu.

"He's walked the walk with a number of the young kids and at this date, the transition will be easier for Mike and easier for the players," Colletti said. "He's the right person and deserves the opportunity to do it."

Easler said he did not feel snubbed when Colletti selected Bill Mueller to replace Eddie Murray as hitting coach midway through last season. Easler said he actually preferred to remain in Las Vegas at the time to continue preparing players for pennant-race promotions.

"I knew I had the experience. It's a matter of timing and the timing just wasn't right," he said. "I wasn't lamenting over it. I've been in the game 38 years. I understand the game. The timing is right now."

Colletti said no decision has been made beyond this season. Including Mattingly and Easler, the Dodgers since 2000 have had eight hitting coaches -- Rick Down, Jack Clark, George Hendrick, Tim Wallach, Murray, Mueller, Mattingly and Easler.