NewYork.Yankees.MLB.com

By Tom Singer / MLB.com

Mel Stottlemyre's move completes Joe Torre's 2004 staff, including the newcomers as base coaches, Roy White and Luis Sojo. (Kathy Willens/AP)

Stottlemyre officially notified general manager Brian Cashman of his decision Thursday night and formally accepted the invitation to return, ending nearly three weeks of uncertainty since the conclusion of the World Series.

Stottlemyre's move completes Joe Torre's 2004 staff, including the newcomers as base coaches, Roy White and Luis Sojo.

Resolution of his status was a nice birthday present for Stottlemyre. He turned 62 on Thursday.

Having Stottlemyre back on board could impact the Yankees on two free agent fronts.

Although Andy Pettitte seems committed to navigate the open market -- something everyone, including Torre, has advised him to do -- he enjoys a special kinship with Stottlemyre, whose continued presence is expected to greatly influence his eventual decision.

Stability in the pitching coach situation is also a positive for Curt Schilling, the right-handed Arizona ace in whom the Yankees are openly interested.

Earlier on Thursday, in discussing his options, Schilling told the Philadelphia Inquirer, "I love Joe Torre, but his situation could change quickly. He's a guy I'd want to play for. The potential loss of the pitching coach concerns me. Will Andy Pettitte be back? Every team needs an Andy Pettitte."

Stottlemyre's return may not make all those dominoes fall. But right now, the dominoes are leaning more than they were a day ago.

Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.