The Detroit Tigers made a coaching change ahead of Tuesday night's game against the Athletics, announcing that third-base coach Joey Cora and the club had mutually agreed to part ways effective immediately. Manager A.J. Hinch said Billy Boyer will take over as third-base coach for the remainder of the 2026 season.
Cora joined Detroit's coaching staff before the 2024 season and spent parts of three seasons overseeing the club's third-base coaching duties.
Boyer, who had served as the Tigers' quality coach after joining the major league staff ahead of the 2026 campaign, now moves into an expanded on-field role.
Hinch emphasized that the decision was based strictly on baseball matters rather than anything personal.
"Decision was entirely baseball related," Hinch said.
The Tigers entered Tuesday with a 40-50 record and sitting fourth in the American League Central. Detroit has struggled to build consistency this season, with execution on the bases and overall offensive production proving to be recurring issues as the club approaches the All-Star break.
Billy Boyer will now oversee third-base coaching and baserunning responsibilities for the rest of the season. The longtime coach joined Detroit's major league staff before this year after working in multiple coaching and player development roles throughout professional baseball.
Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Cora, 61, brought decades of major league experience to Detroit after coaching with the Chicago White Sox, Miami Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Mets. He also enjoyed an 11-year MLB playing career as an infielder before transitioning into coaching.
Detroit will begin its next chapter on the coaching staff Tuesday night against the Athletics at Comerica Park, with Boyer taking over his new responsibilities immediately as the Tigers look to improve during the season's second half.
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