Tigers Suddenly Ax Veteran Coach Amid Disappointing Season

Joey Cora is out as the Detroit Tigers‘ third base coach, as the team many predicted to win the American League Central searches for its identity amid a lost season.

Cora, 61, had been the Tigers’ third base coach since Dec. 4, 2023. He arrived with plenty of experience in the role, having previously coached third base for the New York Mets (2022-23), Pittsburgh Pirates (2017-21) and Chicago White Sox (2004-06).

But with the team 40-50, 7.5 games out of the third and final Wild Card spot in the American League, it took the first major step toward a rebuild - not with a player, but with a coach.

Billy Boyer, the Tigers’ first-year quality coach, will take over third-base coaching duties from Cora.

"I know this is going to be a surprise to a lot of people," A.J. Hinch said, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News. "I love Joey and he loved being a Tiger. He's been instrumental in his time here, but similar to a family, it doesn't last forever. We had some philosophical differences and we both agreed it's probably best for the players and for everybody to separate."

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Coincidentally, the Boston Red Sox fired manager Alex Cora - Joey’s brother - earlier this season in response to their own struggles.

In Boston and in Detroit, it’s unlikely enough philosophical differences arise to cost either Cora his job if their respective teams were winning.

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Joey Cora also worked closely with the Tigers’ infielders. McCosky characterized the players’ reaction to Cora’s exit as a “shock.”

"We had no idea," third baseman Colt Keith said. "There was no indication, nothing built up to this that I was aware of. We just got the message this morning."

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This story was originally published July 7, 2026 at 1:50 PM.