The Dodgers announced the hiring of Chris Woodward as first-base coach. He replaces Clayton McCullough, who departed to take the Marlins’ managerial job two weeks ago.
Woodward returns to Dave Roberts’ staff after two seasons in the L.A. player development department. The 48-year-old spent three seasons as Roberts’ third-base coach, a position he held between 2016-18. Woodward earned a reputation as a top managerial candidate over that stretch. He landed that gig in Arlington over the 2018-19 offseason. He managed the Rangers for nearly four seasons. Texas compiled a 211-287 record over his tenure. The Rangers fired Woodward towards the end of the 2022 campaign. They hired Bruce Bochy the following offseason, which proved a precursor to their 2023 World Series run.
In a press release, GM Brandon Gomes announced that Woodward will serve as a base-running and infield instructor. Third-base coach Dino Ebel will be responsible for working with the outfielders. Woodward played parts of 12 seasons in the big leagues as a utility infielder.
