Former Nationals interim manager Miguel Cairo won’t have to travel far to his new gig. The Orioles are expected to hire Cairo as an infield coach, reports Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports. Baltimore is also expected to add Joe Singley as field coordinator and catching coach, reports Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner.
Cairo took over as Washington’s skipper after Davey Martinez was let go in early July. He went 29-43 at the helm. Cairo had been a bench coach with the team since 2024. He was in the mix for the full-time manager role this offseason, but was removed from contention in late October. The Nationals ultimately landed on Blake Butera for their managerial vacancy.
Cairo suited up for nine different teams across his 17-year playing career. He was in Cincinnati for his final three seasons, then joined the Reds front office as a special assistant to the general manager upon retirement after the 2012 season. Cairo got his first coaching job as a minor league infield coordinator in the Yankees organization in 2018. He returned to an MLB dugout in 2021 as a bench coach with the White Sox. Cairo closed the 2022 season as acting manager after Tony La Russa had to step away due to medical concerns.
Singley got his professional start as a bullpen catcher and assistant catching coach with the Reds in 2023. After two seasons with Cincinnati, Singley became a bullpen catcher and catching coach in Miami. The Marlins got a breakout offensive season from Agustin Ramirez in 2025, but the team’s backstops struggled on defense. Singley will face a similar challenge in Baltimore with Samuel Basallo, a talented young hitter with question marks as a defender. The team also has Adley Rutschman looking to get back on track after an injury-riddled 2025 campaign.
Singley should get some help from his new manager. Craig Albernaz was a minor-league catcher for nine seasons. His first coaching job at the major-league level was as a catching instructor and bench coach with the Giants.
Photo courtesy of Daniel Kucin Jr., Imagn Images