In a significant move reinforcing their commitment to organizational stability, the Los Angeles Dodgers have brought back Chris Woodward as their new first base coach, marking a homecoming for the former Texas Rangers manager. The announcement came Friday night as the team moved swiftly to fill the vacancy left by Clayton McCullough, who recently took the helm as the Miami Marlins manager.
Brandon Gomes, the Dodgers’ general manager, expressed enthusiasm about the appointment, stating, “We are thrilled to have Chris Woodward back on the coaching staff. He has been a staple to this organization, helping us to back-to-back NL pennants, and was a key cog to our success last season.”
This appointment represents Woodward’s second stint with the Dodgers coaching staff, having served as third base coach from 2016 to 2018 under Dave Roberts’ leadership. After his initial tenure, Woodward took on the challenging role of managing the Texas Rangers, where he posted a 211-287 record over four seasons before his departure in 2022.
The transition back to the Dodgers organization began last season when Woodward joined as a senior advisor in their player development department. In this role, he worked extensively with infielders throughout the organization, building relationships across both the major-league team and the minor-league farm system.
In his new position, Woodward’s responsibilities will expand beyond first-base coaching. He will take charge of infield coaching and base-running instruction, while veteran third-base coach Dino Ebel will shift his focus to outfield coaching responsibilities. This realignment has prompted Gomes to describe the Woodward-Ebel partnership as “one of the most talented duos in all of baseball.”
The appointment holds special significance for Southern California baseball fans, as Woodward’s roots in the region run deep. A former standout at Northview High School in Covina, he brings 12 years of major league playing experience with five different teams to his coaching role. His coaching journey began with the Seattle Mariners in 2012, where he spent four years, including a stint as first base coach in 2015 before joining the Dodgers’ organization.
Woodward’s appointment coincided with several other roster moves by the Dodgers. The team made notable decisions regarding its pitching staff, including non-tendering reliever Brent Honeywell and left-hander Zach Logue. Additionally, they secured one-year deals with pitchers Dustin May ($2.135 million) and Tony Gonsolin ($5.4 million) to avoid arbitration.
The coaching staff restructuring appears to complete the Dodgers’ organizational planning for the upcoming season. During this month’s general managers’ meetings, Gomes had indicated the team’s intention to maintain continuity with their World Series-winning staff from 2024, with McCullough’s position being the only anticipated change.
With this appointment, the Dodgers continue their tradition of building on proven relationships while adapting their coaching structure to maximize team performance. Woodward’s return fills a crucial coaching vacancy and brings valuable experience and organizational knowledge back to a team looking to defend their World Series title.