Craig Stammen named Padres manager, bringing familiar face to the dugout

San Diego, California – The San Diego Padres didn’t have to look far for their next skipper. The club announced Thursday that former reliever Craig Stammen has been hired as the team’s new manager, agreeing to a three-year contract that marks his first time managing at any level of professional baseball.

The 41-year-old right-hander, who spent the bulk of his big-league career in the bullpen for Washington and San Diego, retired as a Padre in August 2023. Since then, he’s quietly been working behind the scenes — assisting the major league coaching staff and general manager A.J. Preller’s baseball operations department. That inside familiarity, along with his reputation for calm leadership, made him an attractive choice for a team that’s looking to sustain success after another postseason heartbreak.

Stammen replaces Mike Shildt, who retired last month after just two seasons in charge. Shildt led San Diego to back-to-back 90-win campaigns and consecutive playoff appearances, but cited burnout and exhaustion in stepping away following the Padres’ tight three-game Wild Card Series loss to the Chicago Cubs.

The Padres’ search for his successor was wide-ranging and deliberate. The team interviewed several notable names, including Albert Pujols, former Padres catcher Nick Hundley, and longtime pitching coach Ruben Niebla. Stammen’s name hadn’t been publicly linked to the job, making Thursday’s announcement something of a surprise — though one that fits the organization’s recent emphasis on stability and internal continuity.

“Craig has been a strong presence in our organization for nearly a decade,” Preller said in a statement. “He possesses deep organizational knowledge and brings natural leadership qualities to the manager’s chair. As both a player and in his post-playing career, Craig has displayed an ability to elevate those around him. His strength of character, competitive nature, and talent for bringing people together make him the ideal choice to lead the Padres.”

During his playing days, Stammen was known for his professionalism and durability, logging over 500 career appearances while serving as a clubhouse leader for multiple teams. He becomes the only current MLB manager who’s a former pitcher — a perspective that could bring a fresh voice to a dugout long dominated by ex-position players.