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Red Sox fire manager Alex Cora and key assistant coaches
Cora led Boston to a 10-17 record through the first 27 games of the season.
After an underwhelming start to the 2026 season, the Red Sox are making a coaching change.
Boston fired manager Alex Cora on Saturday evening, along with the vast majority of his coaching staff, according to a release from the Red Sox. Assistants Peter Faste, Ramon Vazquez, Kyle Hudson, Dillon Lawson, and Joe Cronin were also relieved of their duties as part of the sweeping changes to the Red Sox coaching staff.
Former WooSox manager Chad Tracy will be the interim manager.
“Alex Cora led this organization to one of the greatest seasons in Red Sox history in 2018, and for that, and the many years that followed, he will always have our deepest gratitude,” Red Sox owner John Henry said in a press release. “He has had a lasting impact on this team and on this city. He has led on and off the field in so many important ways. These decisions are never easy, but this one is especially difficult given what Alex has meant to the Red Sox since the day he arrived.
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“I want to thank Alex, our coaches, and their families for everything they have given to this organization. They have been part of this club in a way that goes beyond the field, and they will always have our respect and gratitude.”
Craig Breslow and Sam Kennedy will hold a press conference Sunday morning from Baltimore.
Notably, Jason Varitek was not officially part of the layoffs, but he will be “reassigned to a new role within the organization,” per the Red Sox press release. Andrew Bailey, Jose Flores, Parker Guinness, Chris Holt, and John Soteropulos will remain with the organization.
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In addition, Boston is bringing in Portland Sea Dogs manager Chad Epperson as the interim third base coach, and addint Collin Hetzler to its hitting staff.
Cora got the Red Sox off to a poor start to the season. Even with a win Saturday, Boston is still 10-17 and in last place in the American League East. Many of their issues are rooted in offensive slumps, yet Cora was a staunch supporter of Faste, his hitting coach. Both are no longer with the team.
The Red Sox entered the year with playoff aspirations after making the postseason in 2025 and bolstering their pitching depth, but so far that hasn’t translated to success. Boston will need a major turnaround from Tracy if it hopes to get back on track and make the postseason in 2026.
Either way, though, Saturday marked a major shift in the Red Sox organization, relieving a former player and World Series-winning manager 27 games into the season.
Tracy will make his Red Sox managerial debut on Sunday against the Orioles.
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