Phillies May Retain Don Mattingly as Manager

The Philadelphia Phillies are contemplating the retention of Don Mattingly as their manager for the upcoming season after a notable turnaround in performance during the latter half of 2026.

Mattingly took over as interim manager after the team started the season with a 9-19 record, leading to the dismissal of Rob Thomson. Under Mattingly's leadership, the Phillies improved significantly, finishing 24 games above .500. However, a difficult final week and a swift exit from the playoffs have raised questions about his future.

Despite not officially removing the interim tag from Mattingly's title, he is expected to remain with the organization, as he is under contract until 2027. If not appointed as manager, he may transition to a front-office advisor role, which could complicate team dynamics given his son's position as general manager. The Phillies face several offseason challenges, including addressing their managerial situation and improving their performance after finishing 19th in scoring.