Red Sox Fire Alex Cora Following Rough Start To 2026

2026 isn’t being friendly to the Red Sox thus far. After sitting in last place in the AL East with a 10-17 record, the team fired manager Alex Cora and five others Saturday.

Bench coach Ramón Vázquez, hitting coach Peter Fatse, third-base coach Kyle Hudson, assistant hitting coach Dillon Lawson and hitting strategy coach Joe Cronin were the other five staff members dismissed.

Chad Tracy became interim manager following Cora’s dismissal, while Chad Epperson was named interim third-base coach.

“I want to thank Alex, our coaches and their families for everything they have given to this organization,” owner John Henry remarked in a statement. “They have been part of this club in a way that goes beyond the field, and they will always have our respect and gratitude.”

In his tenure, Cora posted a 620-541 record; he posted an 18-10 record in the postseason.

Cora was hired in 2018 after spending a season with the Astros as their bench coach. In his first season, Boston won 108 games and their ninth World Series title. Cora resigned in 2019 after it was revealed he was involved in the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal; he was also suspended for the 2020 season. Boston rehired Cora after his reinstatement expired, resulting in an ALCS appearance in 2021. The Red Sox made the Wild Card last season despite losing Rafael Devers via trade.

Tracy is tasked with managing an underwhelming roster; ace Garrett Crochet has a 5.31 ERA in 127 innings, while Trevor Story has a .198 batting average in 111 at-bats. The struggles continue as Jarren Duran has a .189 batting average, while Caleb Durbin has a .169 batting average.

Time would tell whether this move will pay off, but the Red Sox need to focus on stringing up wins to get out of their early-season slump.