Albert Pujols is no longer a candidate for the Los Angeles Angels manager position, sources confirmed to ESPN on Monday. Pujols is scheduled to interview with the San Diego Padres on Wednesday and has received interest from the Baltimore Orioles, though no interview has been scheduled. The Angels have granted the Padres permission to interview Pujols.

Pujols interviewed with Angels general manager Perry Minasian in St. Louis on October 9. The two sides are no longer in talks after initially discussing the vacancy created when the Angels declined the 2026 option on Ron Washington's contract.

Pujols holds relationships with the Padres' most influential players, Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. San Diego joined the managerial search market after Mike Shildt announced his retirement. Eight teams now seek managers, including the Angels, Padres, Orioles, Braves, Giants, Nationals, Rockies and Twins.

Pujols, 45, led Dominican winter ball team Leones del Escogido to a championship in January. He previously accepted the manager role for the Dominican Republic in next year's World Baseball Classic but would likely rescind that position if hired by a major league team.

Pujols serves as a special assistant for the Angels under a 10-year, $10 million contract triggered after his 2022 retirement. He has expressed strong interest in managing at the major league level for years.

The Angels' manager search initially focused on Pujols as an early favorite before expanding to other candidates. The franchise declined Washington's contract option after the regular season concluded.