Orioles Finalizing Craig Albernaz as Manager

The Baltimore Orioles are finalizing a deal to hire Craig Albernaz, 42, as their next manager, sources including ESPN report, though the deal is not yet official. Albernaz, the Cleveland Guardians' associate manager and a former Giants bullpen/catching coach and longtime Rays minor‑league coach, is praised for his ability to connect with young players and brings postseason experience from Cleveland's AL Central‑winning teams. He inherits a high‑upside but underperforming Orioles roster headlined by Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman and Jackson Holliday after a disappointing 75–87 2025 season and the mid‑May firing of Brandon Hyde. The club considered other options — including keeping interim manager Tony Mansolino or hiring a more experienced skipper — and Albernaz reportedly interviewed with other teams, making him a sought‑after candidate. Baltimore and GM Mike Elias will face pressure to fix pitching, player health and roster construction and to build on consecutive playoff appearances in 2023–24.