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The Los Angeles Dodgers have announced the return of Chris Woodward to their coaching staff as the new first base coach, filling the vacancy left by Clayton McCullough’s departure to manage the Miami Marlins.

Woodward, 48, is no stranger to the Dodgers organization. He previously served as the team’s third base coach from 2016 to 2018, contributing to the Dodgers’ consecutive National League pennants in 2017 and 2018. Following his initial tenure with the Dodgers, Woodward managed the Texas Rangers from 2019 until August 2022, amassing a record of 211-287 over nearly four seasons. After his managerial stint, he returned to the Dodgers as a senior advisor to Major League and Player Development for the past two seasons.

In his new role, Woodward will oversee base running and infield responsibilities. Concurrently, third base coach Dino Ebel will transition to focusing on outfield duties, a move that Dodgers Executive Vice President and General Manager Brandon Gomes believes will create “one of the most talented duos in all of baseball.”

Woodward’s baseball career spans over two decades, beginning with a 12-season Major League playing career. He played for teams including the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, and Boston Red Sox, achieving a career batting average of .239 with 33 home runs and 191 RBIs across 659 games. Notably, he demonstrated versatility by playing seven different positions on the field, maintaining a career .966 fielding percentage.

The coaching transition was set in motion by Clayton McCullough’s appointment as the Miami Marlins’ manager. McCullough, 44, spent the past decade with the Dodgers organization, including four seasons as the first base coach. His tenure culminated in a World Series championship in 2024. Marlins Chairman and Principal Owner Bruce Sherman expressed enthusiasm about McCullough’s hiring, stating that his “love of the game, ability to build meaningful relationships, and new leadership will guide our organization into an exciting new era.”

McCullough’s coaching career began in the Toronto Blue Jays organization, where he managed Minor League teams from 2007 to 2013, achieving winning records in six of those seven seasons. He joined the Dodgers in 2015 as a Minor League field coordinator before being promoted to the Major League coaching staff in 2021. His experience in player development and recent championship success with the Dodgers made him an attractive candidate for the Marlins, who are looking to build a culture “built on determination, focus, and care,” according to McCullough.

The Dodgers’ decision to bring back Woodward reflects the organization’s commitment to continuity and leveraging experienced personnel familiar with the team’s culture and operational philosophy. As the Dodgers prepare for the upcoming season, Woodward’s return is anticipated to bolster the coaching staff’s expertise, particularly in base running and infield play, areas critical to the team’s on-field success.

This coaching shuffle underscores the dynamic nature of Major League Baseball’s coaching landscape, where shifts can have significant implications for team performance. Both the Dodgers and the Marlins aim to capitalize on these changes to achieve their respective organizational goals in the forthcoming season.