Red Sox Clean House on Coaching Staff After Disastrous 10-17 Start

Alex Cora's managerial career started as well as anyone could have expected.

The former MLB second baseman led the Boston Red Sox to a 108-54 record and World Series championship in his first year.

But in the six-plus seasons since, Cora has failed to live up to the enormously high bar he set for himself in 2018. He compiled a 512-487 record during that stretch and made the playoffs just twice, losing to the Houston Astros in the ALCS in 2021 and the New York Yankees in the AL Wild-Card round last season.

This season got off to a rough start as well, and after losing 17 of the team's first 27 games, Cora was fired along with several others on the Red Sox coaching staff.

"The Boston Red Sox fired manager Alex Cora, hitting coach Peter Fatse, bench coach Rámon Vazquez and game-planning coach Jason Varitek, sources tell ESPN," Jeff Passan wrote on X. "While the Red Sox won today, they are 10-17 and in last in the American League East. Massive change is coming in Boston."

"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 principal owner John Henry said in a statement.

"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."

Additionally, third base coach Kyle Hudson, assistant hitting coach Dillon Lawson, and major league hitting strategy coach Joe Cronin were also fired. Varitek was reassigned to a new role within the organization, which the Red Sox said they divulge more details on at a later date.

The Red Sox announced that Triple-A Worcester manager Chad Tracy will serve as interim manager, Double-A Portland manager Chad Epperson will serve as the interim third base coach, and Triple-A Worcester hitting coach Collin Hetzler will join the team's major league hitting staff.

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This story was originally published April 25, 2026 at 7:09 PM.