Padres Begin Manager Search; Pujols Scheduled to Interview

The San Diego Padres have begun a multi-week managerial search after Mike Shildt’s surprise retirement, with CEO Erik Greupner saying the club prioritized finding a leader to push toward a 2026 World Series run and conducting its first interviews this week. Reports say the Padres’ interview list includes internal and external candidates — notably pitching coach Rubén Niebla and former catcher Nick Hundley — and that Albert Pujols is scheduled to interview; longtime Spanish-language broadcaster Carlos Hernández has also expressed interest. Pujols is no longer in consideration with the Los Angeles Angels after talks collapsed over coaches, resources and compensation, but he remains a candidate for other openings, including the Padres and the Baltimore Orioles. Pujols recently managed in the Dominican winter league and is slated to manage the Dominican Republic in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. With Pujols out of the Angels’ picture, Los Angeles is expected to focus on internal options such as Torii Hunter, Kurt Suzuki or other assistants as it continues its own managerial search.