Nationals’ Miguel Cairo Out as Manager, Major Coaching Shakeup

BREAKING: The Washington Nationals have just announced that interim manager Miguel Cairo will not be retained as the team’s manager moving forward. This significant shakeup comes as part of a broader overhaul of the coaching staff, which will also see the dismissal of key coaches, including pitching coach Jim Hickey and hitting coach Darnell Coles.

According to a source familiar with the situation, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the changes were confirmed today, October 1, 2025, but have not been officially released by the team. This news follows the hiring of Paul Toboni as the Nationals’ new president of baseball operations, who was introduced just weeks ago amid a tumultuous season.

The Nationals have struggled significantly, finishing the 2025 season with a disappointing record of 66-96, placing them 14th out of 15 teams in the National League. This marks the sixth consecutive losing season for the franchise since their World Series victory in 2019.

At the news conference introducing Toboni, Nationals owner Mark Lerner expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s current standing, stating, “We’re not happy where we are right now. That’s why we brought in Paul. And we’re going to get back to where we’re supposed to be. … Don’t give up on us; we’re going to be there again. Guaranteed.”

Cairo, who took over managerial duties after the firing of Dave Martinez in July, had previously served as the Nationals’ bench coach. The decision to move on from him, along with the coaching staff, signals a significant shift in the organization as they aim to rebuild and improve their performance in the upcoming season.

In addition to Cairo and Hickey, the coaching staff changes will also include the departure of bullpen coach Ricky Bones, first-base coach Gerardo Parra, and third-base coach Ricky Gutierrez. Parra is well-known for his viral “Baby Shark” celebration during games.

As the Nationals look to right the ship, fans and analysts will be closely monitoring the next steps in the team’s search for a permanent manager and a revamped coaching team. The upcoming decisions will play a critical role in determining the future direction of the franchise and its efforts to return to competitiveness in Major League Baseball.

Stay tuned for further updates as the Nationals prepare for a new chapter in their journey.