The Philadelphia Phillies are in advanced discussions with Don Mattingly to become the team’s bench coach for the 2026 season, according to team president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. While no contract has been signed yet, Dombrowski said Monday at the Winter Meetings that talks are moving forward.
“We still have some final details we’re working through, so it’s not official,” Dombrowski stated. “But we are really focused on speaking with Don and trying to make that happen, and we’re hopeful that it will.”
If hired, Mattingly would take over from Mike Calitri, who is transitioning into a new position as Major League field coordinator. Mattingly brings significant experience from his time as a player with the Yankees and managerial roles with both the Los Angeles Dodgers (2011-2015) and Miami Marlins (2016-2022). He also served as bench coach for the Toronto Blue Jays over the past three seasons and previously coached under Joe Torre from 2004 to 2010.
Mattingly already has a connection to Phillies manager Rob Thomson through their previous work together in the Yankees organization. Thomson commented on the potential hire: “I think it’d be awesome. 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 expects an extension will be reached before Spring Training.
Dombrowski noted he had detailed conversations with Thomson, Don Mattingly, and Phillies general manager Preston Mattingly—who is Don’s son—regarding any concerns about having family members in key positions within the organization. No objections were raised during these discussions.
Addressing whether this father-son relationship could cause issues regarding communication between players and management, Dombrowski said: “I’m not worried about anything coming from the clubhouse up to us that shouldn’t. 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 added: “We share a common goal with everybody in the organization. We want to win a world championship. I think he fits our roster really well and our staff. I’m excited.”
In other team news, Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler has begun playing catch after undergoing thoracic outlet decompression surgery in September. The expected recovery time is six to eight months, but team officials believe Wheeler may return closer to six months.
“Encouraging,” said Dombrowski about Wheeler’s progress. “Everything’s a positive in that regard.”
