The Philadelphia Phillies are in advanced discussions with Don Mattingly to become their bench coach for the 2026 season, according to team officials at the Winter Meetings in Orlando. While no contract has been finalized, Dave Dombrowski, president of baseball operations for the Phillies, indicated that negotiations are moving forward.
“We still have some final details we’re working through, so it’s not official,” Dombrowski said. “But we are really focused on speaking with Don and trying to make that happen, and we’re hopeful that it will.”
If appointed, Mattingly would succeed Mike Calitri, who is transitioning into a new position as Major League field coordinator. Mattingly brings years of experience from his time as a player and manager. He managed the Los Angeles Dodgers between 2011 and 2015 and led the Miami Marlins from 2016 to 2022. For the past three seasons, he served as bench coach for the Toronto Blue Jays. Additionally, Mattingly worked under Joe Torre with both the Yankees and Dodgers from 2004 to 2010.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson has prior experience working alongside Mattingly within the Yankees organization. Thomson spoke positively about potentially adding Mattingly to his staff: “I think it’d be awesome,” Thomson said. “I think it’s a perfect fit for a ball club. Just his intelligence and presence and experience. It would be a really good fit.”
Thomson is entering the last year of his contract; however, Dombrowski expressed confidence in reaching an extension before Spring Training begins.
Dombrowski also noted that he consulted extensively with Thomson, Don Mattingly, and Phillies general manager Preston Mattingly—who is Don’s son—regarding their comfort levels with this potential arrangement. No concerns were raised during these conversations.
Addressing questions about whether having both father (Don) and son (Preston) in significant roles could cause issues within the clubhouse or create communication concerns between players and management, Dombrowski stated: “I’m not worried about anything coming from the clubhouse up to us that shouldn’t,” he said. “That is not a concern. I think you also have to be cognizant of the people that you’re talking about and the credibility that they have. When you start talking about Don and Preston, you’re talking about two people that have immense credibility, and so there’s nothing that’s going to come down there. Confidentiality is still confidentiality.”
Preston Mattingly commented on working alongside his father: “We share a common goal with everybody in the organization,” he said. “We want to win a world championship. I think he fits our roster really well and our staff. I’m excited.”
In other news regarding player health updates, Phillies ace Zack Wheeler has started playing catch after undergoing thoracic outlet decompression surgery in September—a procedure typically requiring six-to-eight months of recovery time for pitchers recovering from this condition following surgery.
“Encouraging,” Dombrowski said regarding Wheeler’s progress post-surgery.“Everything’s a positive in that regard.”
