Don Mattingly is set to return to the Phillies’ dugout in 2027 after taking over a club that was buried early and giving it a late-season push back into the National League picture.
Mattingly stepped in as interim manager on April 28, two days after Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski dismissed Rob Thomson. Philadelphia was 9-19 at the time of the change, but played its way to the fourth-best record in the majors over the remainder of the season under Mattingly.
The club has not publicly announced the decision, but Mattingly’s work with a roster that had clear shortcomings made the case for continuity. Philadelphia’s offense finished 19th in the majors in runs, while its bullpen ranked 21st in ERA, yet the Phillies still recovered enough to reach the postseason.
A familiar voice in the clubhouse
Mattingly’s standing with the players and his knowledge of the roster were key parts of the club’s evaluation. The Phillies had talent, but little margin for error after the April skid, and Mattingly helped steady a group that had already absorbed a managerial change before May.
The road back to Mattingly also shifted when Alex Cora withdrew from consideration. Dombrowski had approached the former Red Sox manager about the position on April 26, before Thomson was fired. Cora declined at that time, then again informed Philadelphia last week that he would not manage in 2027.
With Cora no longer an option, the opening that had remained around the Phillies’ managerial search pointed back toward Mattingly.
Questions remain after Wild Card exit
Philadelphia’s season ended Oct. 1 with a Game 3 loss to the Braves in the NL Wild Card Series, a finish that left the organization with more to address than the manager’s chair.
Dombrowski has not spoken with reporters since that elimination. He is expected to meet the media Thursday, when he will face questions about the disappointing postseason exit and the club’s plans moving forward.
