Padres Narrow Managerial Search to Key Finalists

The San Diego Padres have narrowed their managerial search after Mike Shildt’s surprise retirement to a handful of finalists, most prominently pitching coach Ruben Niebla, former Padre catcher and Rangers advisor Nick Hundley, and future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols, and the club expects a decision potentially by the end of the week. Niebla is credited with remaking the Padres’ pitching program since 2021 and is well regarded in the clubhouse. Hundley, a 12-year MLB catcher who spent seven seasons in San Diego, has been a special assistant in the Rangers’ front office and lives locally. Pujols, who hit 704 career home runs and led Leones del Escogido to the 2025 Caribbean Series title, has no prior major-league managing experience but reportedly interviewed in San Diego for several hours. Reports also list other contenders — including bench coach Brian Esposito, Ryan Flaherty and Scott Servais — as the team conducts second-round, in-person interviews while keeping the search private.