Padres hire former reliever Stammen as manager

The San Diego Padres hired Craig Stammen as their new manager on a three-year contract, the team announced Thursday.

The 41-year-old Stammen was a reliever with the Padres from 2017-22. He also pitched for the Washington Nationals during his 13-year career.

Stammen worked as special assistant to Padres president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller before the former was promoted to skipper.

The Padres also reportedly interviewed Albert Pujols, Nick Hundley, and longtime pitching coach Ruben Niebla.

San Diego was looking for a new manager after Mike Shildt surprisingly retired in mid-October after two seasons with the club.

The Padres went 90-72 in 2025 but lost to the Chicago Cubs in three games in the NL wild-card round.