BALTIMORE — Another change is confirmed to be coming for the Orioles’ new-look coaching staff under first-time manager Craig Albernaz.
Robinson Chirinos will not be returning as Baltimore’s bench coach for the 2026 season, according to a source. The club has not yet confirmed the news.
Chirinos, 41, was a first-time MLB coach in 2025, hired to serve under manager Brandon Hyde before Hyde was was dismissed on May 17. Chirinos finished the season working alongside Tony Mansolino, who went from third-base coach to interim manager.
A former catcher, Chirinos played 11 big league seasons from 2011-22, finishing his career with the Orioles in ‘22. In that final season, Chirinos served as a mentor to then-rookie Adley Rutschman and hit .179 with a .552 OPS over 67 games.
When Fredi González did not return as Baltimore’s bench coach for 2025, Chirinos was a logical fit to serve in that role under Hyde, his former manager.
Now, Albernaz has taken over as the Orioles’ manager. Albernaz was hired on Monday and is tasked with attempting to lead the team to a bounce-back season. The O’s went 75-87 while finishing in last place in the American League East in 2025, underperforming after reaching the postseason each of the previous two years.
It is not yet known if any coaches will be returning from last season’s Orioles staff, but it would not be surprising if there are more departures as Albernaz builds his group.
Albernaz was previously the Guardians’ bench coach/associate manager under manager Stephen Vogt, and the two forged a strong bond while leading Cleveland to back-to-back AL Central titles — so Albernaz surely knows how important it will be to have the right bench coach by his side in Baltimore.
