The Philadelphia Phillies dismissed manager Rob Thomson on Tuesday following a dismal 9-19 start to the 2026 season. Bench coach Don Mattingly, whose son Preston serves as the club's general manager, was named interim manager.

Thomson, 62, posted a .568 winning percentage across parts of five seasons — the finest mark of any Phillies manager since the 19th century. He guided Philadelphia to four straight postseason appearances and a 2022 National League pennant.

The move comes after the Phillies dropped 10 consecutive games, their longest losing streak since 1999. Philadelphia entered Tuesday carrying the largest payroll in franchise history alongside World Series expectations.

Third base coach Dusty Wathan was elevated to bench coach. Triple-A Lehigh Valley manager Anthony Contreras will join the major-league staff as third base coach.

President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski acted after just 28 games, even more swiftly than his 2022 decision to remove Joe Girardi after 51 games, when Thomson stepped in and steered the club to the World Series.

Thomson used 21 different batting orders in 28 games this season, battling lineup inconsistency throughout. The Phillies have struggled offensively, received unreliable starting pitching and played erratic defense.

Dombrowski extended Thomson's contract through 2027 just months ago, following a playoff loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers last October. The entire coaching staff received similar extensions during spring training before Tuesday's abrupt reversal.

Thomson was only the fourth manager in MLB history to reach the postseason in each of his first four full seasons.