- Albernaz, 42, previously served as the associate manager for the Cleveland Guardians.
- He will be tasked with improving the team after a disappointing 2025 season led to the firing of Brandon Hyde.
- Albernaz has been a popular candidate for managerial openings, previously interviewing with multiple teams.
The Baltimore Orioles appear to have found their new manager.
Multiple media reports say the team is finalizing a contract with Cleveland Guardians associate manager Craig Albernaz to guide the Orioles after a disappointing 2025 campaign that led to the midseason firing of Brandon Hyde.
The selection was first reported by ESPN.
Albernaz, 42, was a finalist for the Guardians managerial job two years ago, eventually joining the team as bench coach after Stephen Vogt was hired. Albernaz got his start in the Tampa Bay Rays organization, first as a player for eight years and then as a coach, starting in 2015.
He served as a manager for two years in the low minors, followed by a stint with the San Francisco Giants as a bullpen and catching coach.
Albernaz has been a popular candidate for managerial openings in the recent past. In addition to interviewing for the Cleveland job in 2023, he was a finalist last season for vacancies with the White Sox and Marlins.
He has the task of reversing the Orioles’ slide this past season after earning consecutive playoff berths under Hyde in 2023 and 2024. This year’s team started poorly, leading to Hyde’s firing in mid-May with a record of 15-28.
Third base coach Tony Mansolino took over on an interim basis as the Orioles finished 75-87. He was considered for the job after the team was one game over .500 during his tenure, but the front office opted for Albernaz instead.