Overview
- San Diego completed a second, in-person interview with Albert Pujols this week for its managerial vacancy, according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
- Reporting indicates the finalist group includes Pujols, pitching coach Ruben Niebla, and former Padres catcher Nick Hundley, with a decision expected by the end of the week.
- USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported the second meeting with Pujols lasted about 9.5 hours, a detail not independently confirmed by other outlets.
- Pujols has not managed in MLB but recently led Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Winter League and is slated to manage the Dominican Republic in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
- He previously interviewed with the Angels before they hired Kurt Suzuki, and the Padres’ opening stems from Mike Shildt stepping away earlier this month.