Padres interview bench coach for managerial job; Albert Pujols to meet with club Wednesday

The Padres have interviewed at least one candidate to be their next manager.

Brian Esposito, a member of the major league coaching staff the past three seasons and the bench coach for manager Mike Shildt in 2025, was interviewed Monday.

Esposito is the first known candidate to interview for the position vacated when Mike Shildt retired. The man the team will interview next is far more well-known.

Future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols, one of four major leaguers to hit 700 home runs, will meet with the team Wednesday.

Pujols, who retired in 2022, has not managed or coached in affiliated ball. He did manage Leones de Escogido to the Dominican Winter League and Caribbean Series titles in 2025.

Esposito managed nine seasons in the minor leagues before joining Bob Melvin’s Padres staff in ‘23. The last of those minor-league jobs was managing Single-A Fort Wayne. He was manager of the Pirates’ Triple-A team for three seasons before that.

The 46-year-old Esposito was a catcher who played 13 seasons in the minor leagues. He appeared in three major league games — one with the Cardinals in 2007 and two with the Astros in 2010.

It is not known when the Padres will interview pitching coach Ruben Niebla or any of the other candidates they intend to meet with.