The Baltimore Orioles are undergoing significant changes in their coaching staff as they prepare for the upcoming season. Under first-year manager Craig Albernaz, the team has confirmed the departure of several key coaches, including bench coach Robinson Chirinos, hitting coach Cody Asche, and first base coach Anthony Sanders.
Chirinos, who served as the bench coach for the Orioles, has decided to pursue other opportunities. His exit follows reports that Asche and Sanders have both been hired by the Detroit Tigers for similar roles. Asche will assume the position of assistant hitting coach, while Sanders continues as first base coach. The changes come after a challenging season for the Orioles, who finished with a record of 75-87, resulting in the firing of former manager Brandon Hyde.
In a statement, president of baseball operations Mike Elias highlighted the ongoing changes within the organization. He noted, “In the background, there’s a lot of activity and work going on on that front. Different conversations happening with different returning coaches or coaches that are still in the organization.” Elias emphasized the importance of allowing Albernaz to shape the coaching staff as they strive to improve their performance in the upcoming season.
Chirinos, 41, joined the Orioles coaching staff in 2025, a year marked by managerial instability. He was lauded for his leadership and his ability to connect with young players, including catcher Adley Rutschman. After a successful playing career that included 11 seasons in Major League Baseball, Chirinos made a positive impact on the development of another promising catcher, Samuel Basallo, during his time in Baltimore.
Despite these contributions, the Orioles are clearly focused on a fresh start as they aim to bounce back from their last-place finish in the American League East. The departures of Chirinos, Asche, and Sanders are part of a broader strategy to revamp the coaching staff in anticipation of the new season.
This offseason is shaping up to be particularly busy for the Orioles, as they look to make significant adjustments. The Baltimore Banner was the first to report Chirinos’ departure, while The Athletic provided details on Asche and Sanders’ new roles with the Tigers.
As the Orioles prepare for the challenges ahead, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these changes affect the team’s performance in the 2026 season.
