The Detroit Tigers are adding former Major League Baseball catcher Martin Maldonado to their coaching staff as a quality control coach, reuniting the 40-year-old with manager AJ Hinch. Maldonado, who spent 14 seasons in MLB, will join Detroit after working as a special assistant with the Atlanta Braves during the 2026 season. The Athletic first reported the hiring.

Maldonado previously played under Hinch with the Houston Astros during parts of the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Houston acquired him from the Los Angeles Angels at the 2018 trade deadline to bolster its defense and game-calling behind a pitching staff featuring Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole. After Maldonado departed as a free agent, the Astros traded for him again the following season.

The Puerto Rico native spent six seasons with Houston, remaining with the organization through 2023. He helped the Astros win the 2022 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, catching Framber Valdez during the championship-clinching Game 6 win. Maldonado also caught Valdez's no-hitter in 2023. Valdez, whom the Tigers signed to a three-year, $115 million contract during the previous winter's free agency, has pitched more major-league innings with Maldonado behind the plate than with any other catcher. In 2026, Valdez recorded a 4.03 ERA across 174 innings for Detroit.

Maldonado played for seven MLB franchises: the Astros, Angels, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox. He won a Gold Glove with the Angels in 2017 and retired in 2025 after appearing in 1,230 major-league games. His final playing appearance came with Puerto Rico in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, where the team lost to Italy in the quarterfinals.

Article Continues Below

The Tigers' appointment fills the quality control position left vacant when Billy Boyer moved to third-base coach in July to replace Joey Cora. Detroit also has openings at first-base coach and assistant pitching coach following the departures of Anthony Sanders and Juan Nieves.

Maldonado has attracted coaching interest since retiring. Houston previously pursued him for its staff in an effort led by senior adviser Jeff Bagwell, but that attempt was unsuccessful. Now, Maldonado is set to transition into coaching under Hinch's guidance. He is also scheduled to manage Indios de Mayaguez in Puerto Rico's Winter League.