PHILADELPHIA – For nearly six months, Don Mattingly managed the Phillies without knowing whether he would be back. On Wednesday, the club ended the suspense, removing his interim tag and giving him a two-year contract, The Associated Press reported.
The team announced the deal Wednesday morning, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia, keeping the 65-year-old in the dugout for the 2027 season. The Athletic’s Matt Gelb and Charlotte Varnes reported earlier in the day that the move was expected, as MLB Trade Rumors relayed.
The decision followed weeks of uncertainty. In late September, the Mets and Red Sox retained their interim managers, Andy Green and Chad Tracy, which left Mattingly as the only interim manager in baseball. Dave Dombrowski said at the time that it was better to wait until the season was complete before deciding on Mattingly’s future, the Inquirer reported.
Yahoo Sports noted that Mattingly may not have been Dombrowski’s first choice, but that he appeared to be his final one. The reports reviewed do not give the contract’s financial terms or say whether the coaching staff will change.
