The Baltimore Orioles have found their manager for the 2026 MLB season reportedly hiring Craig Albernaz.
Albernaz takes over for Tony Mansolino, who was named Baltimore’s interim manager after Brandon Hyde was fired in May after a 15-28 start to the season. The Orioles were expected to be one of the top competitors in the American League, but started so poorly that Hyde was fired. Mansolino did his best, but Baltimore finished the 2025 season 75-87 and in last place in the AL East.
Here is more on Albernaz.
Who is Craig Albernaz?
This will be Albernaz’s first gig as a big league manager. He started coaching in 2015 and joined the Tampa Bay Rays organization. Albernaz worked his way up through the various farm systems and was even named the 2018 Midwest League Manager of the Year at the helm of the Bowling Green Hot Rods, the Rays’ High-A affiliate at the time.
The San Francisco Giants then hired Albernaz to be their bullpen and catching coach in 2019. He spent a few seasons with the franchise and was then hired by the Cleveland Guardians following the 2023 season to be the team’s bench coach. Albernaz held that role for only one season before being promoted to associate manager for the 2025 season.
In baseball, the associate manager works with the manager on strategy and leadership, and often specializes in offense or defense. The role is often referred to as “manager-in-waiting,” and while that was the case for Albernaz, it wasn’t with Cleveland.
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Who is Craig Albernaz replacing?
Albernaz is officially taking over for Hyde. He is technically taking over for Tony Mansolino who was named the interim manager after Hyde was fired in May 2025 after a 15-28 start to the season. Mansolino was considered for the permanent head coaching gig, but wasn’t chosen. It remains to be seen if he will remain with the organization.
