PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks are hiring San Diego Padres bullpen coach Ben Fritz as their new pitching coach, MLB.com reported, citing a source.
Fritz, 45, would replace Brian Kaplan, who was not brought back after two seasons in the job. The club has not confirmed the move, which was first reported by The Athletic. Some final details still need to be worked out, but Fritz is the team’s choice, according to MLB.com.
Fritz joined the Padres’ coaching staff after the 2019 season and has worked under pitching coach Ruben Niebla since 2022.
Assistant pitching coach Owen Dew and bullpen coach Wellington Cepeda will return in their current roles, the source told MLB.com. Every other member of the Diamondbacks’ coaching staff, apart from Kaplan, is expected to return to the role held last season.
The hire comes as Arizona heads into an offseason with key pitching decisions, including starter Michael Soroka’s move to free agency after he declined his mutual option.
The Diamondbacks are expected to announce the full 2027 coaching staff later this offseason.
Sources: MLB.com. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
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