Although it hasn’t been announced, Tony Cloninger is out as the Yankees’ bullpen coach. And unlike hitting coach Gary Denbo’s dismissal, which was handled by Joe Torre and GM Brian Cashman, Cloninger was sacked by George Steinbrenner.

“If they announce it, I will be happy to talk about it,” Cloninger said yesterday when reached at his North Carolina home by The Post.

Cloninger, who was in his eighth season as the bullpen coach, isn’t the only one on the way out. The Post has learned advance scout Bob Didier was cut loose, leaving the Yankees looking for a partner for Wade Taylor, their other advance man.

It’s expected that former Yankee right-hander Rich Monteleone will replace Cloninger. Monteleone, a 38-year-old native of Tampa, spent this past summer as the roving pitching instructor. He was a pitching coach the previous four years in the Yankees’ system. Monteleone was a Yankee from 1990-93 and also pitched for the Mariners, Angels and Giants and posted a 24-17 major league record.

However, all coaching decisions are on hold until Torre and Steinbrenner seal a three-year deal worth $16 million. Rick Down is likely to replace Denbo.

Cloninger, 61, this year completed his 15th consecutive season in the Yankees’ organization. He was the Yankees’ pitching coach in 1993, one year after being the bullpen coach.

Cloninger, a Braves teammate of Torre’s from 1961-68, was 113-97 in 12 big-league seasons. He was one of the best hitting pitchers ever, swatting two grand slams in a 1966 game against the Giants to tie a major league record.