🚨 JUST IN: Martín Maldonado Transitions From the Field to the Dugout With a New Role on an MLB Coaching Staff ⚡.DD
Martín Maldonado should be back in an MLB dugout in 2026, even after retiring as a player in October.
Former Houston Astros catcher Martín Maldonado announced his MLB retirement in October.
He will still stay heavily involved in professional baseball when 2026 arrives.
Maldonado, 39, will add another highlight to his playing career in March when he represents Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.
His plans after the 2026 WBC were revealed Wednesday.
Maldonado is expected to join the Atlanta Braves as a special assistant for major-league operations, according to The Athletic’s Chandler Rome, possibly the first step toward a future MLB managerial role.
Maldonado’s post-playing pivot is sensible given his reputation as an MLB player from 2011-25—he spent six seasons with the Astros from 2018-23.
Maldonado was a light-hitting catcher, posting a measly .203 career batting average.
But Maldonado made up for his deficiencies at the plate during the peak of his Astros tenure as an elite clubhouse leader during his time in Houston.
He was also a supreme game-caller and defensive catcher behind the plate, a major catalyst in the rise of Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier and an assortment of Astros’ arms in the second half of the franchise’s Golden Era.
Maldonado’s mind was his greatest asset as a player.
His knowledge will not continue to be passed on in 2026, with members of the Atlanta Braves as the new beneficiaries.
It’s unclear whether Maldonado will spend his summer inside the Braves’ dugout or work for Atlanta in a more front-office role.
Regardless, Houston fans might still have a chance to see Maldonado behind the plate one more time in March.
Puerto Rico is slated in Pool A for the WBC, where they will compete against Cuba, Canada, Panama and Columbia in San Juan.
If they advance beyond Pool A, Puerto Rico will play its quarterfinal game at Daikin Park in Houston on either March 13 or March 14.
Maldonado’s most memorable career moments occurred at Houston’s downtown ballpark.
Maybe one last moment of glory awaits this spring.
