NEW YORK — On Friday, Major League Baseball announced the hiring of Paul Clemons, Emil Jiménez, and Alex MacKay as full-time umpires. Additionally, Dan Merzel and Nate Tomlinson were added to the umpiring staff on June 16, 2023.

Jen Pawol is set to return for big league spring training, joined by a group of 21 minor league umpires selected for the exhibition season. Last year, Pawol made history as the first woman to officiate a major spring training game since 2007, although she did not receive an invitation for a regular-season game. Currently, eight women, including Pawol, have been assigned to officiate spring training games in both major and minor leagues.

In related news, long-time crew chiefs Paul Emmel, Jerry Layne, and Larry Vanover are set to retire. Vic Carapazza, Doug Eddings, and Andy Fletcher have been elevated to the position of crew chief. Layne’s extensive MLB career began in 1989, culminating in 37 years of service, making him the senior umpire.

Clemons made his big league debut on August 19, 2020, and will be joining Adrian Johnson’s crew. Jiménez, who first umpired in the major leagues on April 18, 2023, is assigned to Doug Eddings’ crew, while his brother Edwin has been serving as a call-up umpire since April 24, 2023. MacKay’s first MLB game took place on August 21, 2020, and he will be part of Alan Porter’s crew.

Merzel debuted on August 29, 2020, and will join Mark Carlson’s crew, whereas Tomlinson, who started his MLB career on August 7, 2020, is assigned to Mark Wegner’s crew.

Currently, MLB employs 76 full-time umpires and supplements crews with replacements for vacancies caused by injuries or absences.

Pawol is part of a select group of women who have held umpiring positions in the minor leagues, which includes notable figures such as Bernice Gera (1972), Christine Wren (1975-1977), Pam Postema (1977-1989), and Ria Cortesio (1999-2007).