The Washington Nationals have decided not to retain interim manager Miguel Cairo for the upcoming season, following his appointment after the dismissal of Dave Martinez in July. According to a source familiar with the team’s decisions, Cairo will be joined by several members of his coaching staff who are also being let go. This information was confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday under the condition of anonymity, as the team has yet to publicly announce their plans for on-field leadership.
The coaching changes will include the departures of pitching coach Jim Hickey, hitting coach Darnell Coles, bullpen coach Ricky Bones, first-base coach Gerardo Parra, and third-base coach Ricky Gutierrez. The Washington Post was the first to report these changes, highlighting a significant shift in the team’s management structure.
Leadership Shake-Up After Six Losing Seasons
This overhaul comes shortly after the appointment of Paul Toboni as the Nationals’ new president of baseball operations. Toboni, who previously served as an assistant general manager with the Boston Red Sox, was introduced to the media on October 1, 2025. At that press conference, Mark Lerner, owner of the Nationals, expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s current trajectory. “We’re not happy where we are right now. That’s why we brought in Paul. And we’re going to get back to where we’re supposed to be. … Don’t give up on us; we’re going to be there again. Guaranteed,” Lerner stated.
The Nationals have struggled significantly since their World Series win in 2019, enduring six consecutive losing seasons. The team’s performance in 2025 was particularly concerning, finishing with a record of 66-96, which placed them 14th out of 15 teams in the National League.
Cairo, a long-time associate of Martinez, had previously served as the Nationals’ bench coach before stepping into the interim role. His tenure was marked by a challenging season, and Toboni indicated plans to consult with Cairo before making any public statements regarding the managerial position moving forward. Both Hickey and Coles had been with the Nationals since 2021 and 2022, respectively, making this a notable shake-up in the team’s coaching ranks.
The Nationals now face the task of rebuilding their leadership structure as they aim to reverse their recent misfortunes and restore competitiveness in the league.
