Craig Stammen Named San Diego Padres Manager on Three-Year Deal

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres on Thursday announced that former major-league reliever Craig Stammen has been hired as the club’s next manager, agreeing to a three-year contract that will begin with the 2026 season.

Stammen, a 13-year big-league veteran from North Star, Ohio, and a standout at Versailles High School, pitched for the Washington Nationals early in his career and spent six seasons with the Padres. He retired from playing in 2023 and has worked in the Padres’ baseball operations and player-development area since.

The club said Stammen — who made more than 300 appearances for San Diego during his playing days and is widely regarded inside the organization for his leadership and knowledge of the roster — will be formally introduced at a press conference at Petco Park on Monday.

Padres general manager A.J. Preller praised Stammen’s familiarity with the organization and his ability to connect with players as key reasons for the hire, calling him a “trusted voice” who understands what it takes to win in San Diego.

Stammen succeeds Mike Shildt, who stepped away from the role earlier this offseason; the move continues a trend this year of clubs turning to first-time managers with recent playing or development experience.

Hometown roots: Stammen’s rise from a small Ohio town to a major-league manager is an inspiration for young athletes in the region. Former coaches at Versailles High remember him not just for his talent on the mound, but also for his work ethic and leadership — qualities that now carry over to his new role guiding the Padres.

What this means for the Padres: Stammen takes over a roster that has posted consecutive playoff appearances in recent seasons and now faces significant offseason decisions about free agents and pitching depth. The team will look to Stammen to translate his clubhouse credibility into on-field results as the 2026 season approaches.

— Sources: Reuters, The Associated Press, MLB