Nationals’ Interim Manager Miguel Cairo Not Retained, Major Shakeup

URGENT UPDATE: The Washington Nationals have confirmed that interim manager Miguel Cairo will not be retained for the 2026 season. This decision comes as part of a significant overhaul of the coaching staff, which includes the dismissal of several key figures, sources report.

Just announced, the Nationals are parting ways with pitching coach Jim Hickey, hitting coach Darnell Coles, bullpen coach Ricky Bones, first-base coach Gerardo Parra, and third-base coach Ricky Gutierrez. The news was first reported by The Washington Post, and a reliable source confirmed these changes to The Associated Press on October 4, 2025.

These developments come less than a month after the appointment of Paul Toboni as the Nationals’ new president of baseball operations, following the firing of former president and general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez in July. The Nationals have struggled significantly, enduring six consecutive losing seasons since their 2019 World Series victory, culminating in a dismal 66-96 record in 2025, landing them in 14th place out of 15 in the National League.

In a press conference on October 1, Nationals owner Mark Lerner expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “We’re not happy where we are right now. That’s why we brought in Paul. And we’re going to get back to where we’re supposed to be. … Don’t give up on us; we’re going to be there again. Guaranteed.”

Cairo, who had been serving as bench coach prior to his interim management role, was a close ally of Martinez. Toboni indicated that he intended to discuss Cairo’s future before making any public announcements, but this latest news confirms that a fresh direction is being sought for the struggling franchise.

Fans and analysts alike are eager to see who will step in as the new manager and how this shakeup will impact the team’s future. As the Nationals look to rebuild and reclaim their competitive edge, all eyes will be on upcoming announcements regarding new appointments and strategies.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.