Overview
- The 41-year-old former Padres reliever moves into the role despite having never coached or managed at any level.
- President of baseball operations A.J. Preller praised Stammen’s leadership and organizational knowledge in announcing the hire.
- San Diego interviewed Albert Pujols, Nick Hundley and pitching coach Ruben Niebla during a deliberate search, with Pujols getting a second interview lasting about 9½ hours.
- The club expects to retain much of its staff, with Niebla anticipated to remain as pitching coach, and it will fill openings at hitting and third base coach.
- Stammen inherits a 90-win roster facing key pitching decisions, with Dylan Cease and Michael King entering free agency and Yu Darvish expected to miss 2026 after elbow surgery.