Padres Hire Former Pitcher Craig Stammen As Manager

SAN DIEGO, CA — Former San Diego Padres pitcher Craig Stammen has signed a three-year contract to manage his former club, the team announced Thursday.

"Craig has been a strong presence in our organization for nearly a decade," A.J. Preller, general manager and president of baseball operations, said in a statement. "He possesses deep organizational knowledge and brings natural leadership qualities to the manager's chair.

Stammen, 41, pitched for 13 seasons in Major League Baseball, including his final six with the Padres.

The 2026 season will be his third with the Padres in a coaching staff/front office role. He was previously hired as special assistant, Major League staff and baseball operations following his retirement as a player on Aug. 4, 2023.

"As both a player and in his post-playing career, Craig has displayed an ability to elevate those around him," Preller said. "His strength of character, competitive nature and talent for bringing people together make him the ideal choice to lead the Padres."

During his playing career with the Washington Nationals and Padres, he held a 3.66 ERA and a 55-44 record in 562 Major League appearances with 43 starts. His 333 career appearances with San Diego are fifth-most for a pitcher in franchise history, trailing Trevor Hoffman (902), Craig Lefferts (375), Luke Gregerson (363) and Heath Bell (354).

The veteran right-hander, used mostly in a relief role, was the Padres' 2022 nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award and was also selected as the Major League representative for the 2020 Bob Feller Act of Valor Award. In 2017, he received the Padres Chairman's Award for his philanthropic efforts and work in the community.