Don Mattingly steps away from Blue Jays as bench coach

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The offseason moves quickly in Major League Baseball, especially for teams that make it to the World Series.

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The latest changes to the Blue Jays came to light Thursday morning when Don Mattingly decided to leave the team to pursue another position in baseball.

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According to the New York PostMattingly, who served as a bench coach through the 2025 season, is not retiring and is committed to staying in the big leagues.

Source confirmed Toronto Sun on Thursday, Mattingly does leave, but he leaves entirely by his own decision.

Mattingly spent three seasons with the Jays and was an important right-hand man for John Schneider, who continued to develop in his managerial role to the point that he was named a finalist for the American League Manager of the Year award.

MessageJournalist Jon Heyman reported that Mattingly's contract expired after this season and that he was “grateful to Toronto management” for his role with the Jays.

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Schneider often spoke of his admiration for “Donnie Baseball,” whom he idolized as a child in New Jersey.

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The 64-year-old former Yankees great said Mail that he would be open to working elsewhere in baseball. There are currently two open management vacancies with the San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies, although it is unclear whether he will apply for either position.

Schneider relied heavily on a number of his assistants, including Mattingly, who included pitching coach Pete Walker and assistant DeMarlo Hale.

“When I first hired him, I wanted someone to be in the game, that was the norm,” Schneider said during the World Series. “He's done almost everything here, but what he gives me as a member of my inner circle is communication with the players about how we're going to use them.

“He's just full of ideas. Donnie was my favorite player growing up, I think everyone knows that. To have him here in his first World Series is incredibly special. He's done so much behind the scenes to help us get here.”

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