Ben Fritz expected to become Arizona Diamondbacks pitching coach

The Arizona Diamondbacks are reportedly set to hire Ben Fritz as their new pitching coach. Fritz, who has served as the bullpen coach for the San Diego Padres since 2020, is expected to succeed Brian Kaplan, whom the Diamondbacks parted ways with following the conclusion of the season.

Fritz joined the Padres organization in 2015 and previously served as the team’s interim pitching coach in 2021. During his tenure in San Diego, the Padres' bullpen has maintained strong metrics, including a 3.53 ERA in the 2026 season, which ranked fifth in the major leagues.

In addition to the coaching change, the Diamondbacks intend to retain assistant pitching coach Owen Dew and bullpen coach Wellington Cepeda in their current roles.