Phillies Fire Rob Thomson, Name Don Mattingly Interim Manager

Key Points:

• The Philadelphia Phillies have fired manager Rob Thomson after a disappointing 9-19 start to the 2026 season, with bench coach Don Mattingly named interim manager through the end of the year.
• Third base coach Dusty Wathan was promoted to bench coach, and Triple-A manager Anthony Contreras was called up to serve as the new third base coach.
• The Phillies offered the managerial position to former Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora, but he declined, citing a desire to spend more time with family and his strong financial position from his contract with Boston.
• Thomson led the Phillies to significant success since taking over in mid-2022, including winning the NL East in 2024 and 2025, but postseason results declined and the team's poor start this season prompted the change.
• The Phillies hope the managerial shakeup will spark a turnaround after they have lost six consecutive series and endured a 10-game losing streak early in the season.