Add Nick Hundley, Ruben Niebla to list of Padres’ managerial finalists

The Padres have narrowed their managerial search to no more than four finalists and expect to make a decision on who will replace the retired Mike Shildt by the end of the week.

Pitching coach Ruben Niebla, former Padres catcher and current Rangers advisor Nick Hundley and future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols are finalists for the position, according to sources. It is not certain they are the only remaining candidates.

The Padres have not commented on the manager search.

It was already known that Pujols met with Padres officials Tuesday in San Diego. Niebla was seen during his interview at Petco Park on Monday, and sources confirmed he and Hundley are in the running. Hundley could not be reached for comment, and Niebla did not answer a phone call seeking comment.

Albert Pujols interviews for second time as Padres narrow managerial search

The three finalists and bench coach Brian Esposito (and possibly others) participated in interviews via Zoom last week in the first round of interviews. The second round of interviews is being held in person.

Niebla has essentially remade the Padres pitching program since taking over as pitching coach in October 2021, and the team has perennially ranked among the league leaders in that span. The Calexico High graduate pitched in the minor leagues in the Expos and Dodgers organization and coached in the Guardians organization from 2001 through 2020.

Hundley played in the major leagues for 12 seasons, the first 6½ of them (2008-14) with the Padres. He spent time working for MLB after his retirement in 2019 and has been a special assistant in the Rangers’ baseball operations department since 2022. Hundley lives in San Diego.

Pujols, whose 704 home runs are fourth most in major league history, has never coached or managed in the minor or major leagues. His managerial experience is limited to leading Leones de Escogido to the Dominican Winter League and Caribbean Series titles in 2025.