The Detroit Tigers are making changes to their coaching staff after finishing the 2026 season with a disappointing 76-86 record and missing the playoffs. On Tuesday, the club parted ways with first-base coach Anthony Sanders and assistant pitching coach Juan Nieves, according to a report by The Athletic.
Sanders spent his first season with Detroit after previously working six years for the Baltimore Orioles. The Tigers finished the year with 58 stolen bases, ranking 29th in MLB, while being caught stealing 23 times. However, 18 of the Tigers’ 58 steals came in September, including a late-season increase under Sanders.
Nieves had been part of Detroit’s major-league staff since 2021 after previously serving as the pitching coach at Triple-A Toledo. He also spent time as the pitching coach for the Boston Red Sox from 2013-15 and the Miami Marlins from 2016-18. Nieves was also an influential figure for the organization’s Latin American pitchers and speaks Spanish.
The coaching shake-up comes after a season to forget for the Tigers. They finished fourth in the AL Central and were saddled with their first losing record since 2023 on September 19. They were eliminated from postseason contention the following day, marking their first playoff miss since 2023.
Detroit also made major roster changes during the season. After a poor first half, the Tigers traded star pitcher Tarik Skubal to the Los Angeles Dodgers for prospects Zahir Hope, River Ryan and Brady Smith. Detroit also dealt Casey Mize to the San Diego Padres for Kash Mayfield and Jackson Wolf.
The Tigers had already dismissed third-base and infield-defense coach Joey Cora partway through the campaign. Billy Boyer assumed Cora’s responsibilities after his departure.
The Detroit Tigers are making changes to their coaching staff after finishing the 2026 season with a disappointing 76-86 record and missing the playoffs. On Tuesday, the club parted ways with first-base coach Anthony Sanders and assistant pitching coach Juan Nieves, according to a report by The Athletic.