Report: Orioles hiring Craig Albernaz as manager

Field Level Media|published: Sun 26th October, 23:22 2025

May 28, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Cleveland Guardians bench coach Craig Albernaz (55) calls in a play in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

The Baltimore Orioles are hiring Craig Albernaz as manager, ESPN reported on Sunday night.

Albernaz, who turns 43 on Thursday, was the Cleveland Guardians' associate manager this season after serving as bench coach for 2024.

He fills in the vacancy in Baltimore, which fired manager Brandon Hyde on May 17 after a 15-28 start. Interim manager Tony Mansolino showed a steady hand (60-59) as the team finished 75-87 and he was a candidate for the full-time position.

The Orioles descended in 2025 to last place in the American League East after capturing the division in 2023 with a 101-win season and then posting 91 victories in 2024 for consecutive playoff appearances.

Baltimore is stocked with young position players, making it an attractive post for managerial candidates. Albernaz is regarded as working well with young players after two years managing in the low minor leagues and then being hired before the 2020 season to be the San Francisco Giants' bullpen and catching coach.

A native of Fall River, Mass., Albernaz played catcher for nine years in the minor leagues (2006-14), rising as high as Triple-A with the Tampa Bay Rays before his final season with the Detroit Tigers' Double-A affiliate.

The Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies, Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres and Washington Nationals still have managerial vacancies for the 2026 season.

--Field Level Media

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