Edwin Rodriguez to Return as Chihuahuas Manager in 2021

A familiar face will be returning to the dugout at Southwest University Park this summer. The San Diego Padres officially announced their Minor League managers and coaching staffs, and Edwin Rodriguez will return to manage the El Paso Chihuahuas for the 2021 season. He will be joined by a pair of newcomers: pitching coach Eric Junge and hitting coach Doug Banks.

Junge and Banks both have worked in the Padres Minor League system. Junge pitched professionally for 14 years, including the 2002 and 2003 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies. He was the Padres pitching coordinator since 2018. Banks spent the last four seasons as a hitting coach with San Diego's lower Minor League affiliates. Conditioning coach A.J. Russell will also be returning to the Chihuahuas staff. Other newcomers include fielding coach Oscar Salazar, athletic trainer Drew Garner, and assistant athletic trainer Maritza Castro.

"It is an honor to have Edwin back in El Paso to lead our 2021 Chihuahuas," Chihuahuas Senior Vice President and General Manager Brad Taylor said in the official team release. "Another familiar face we will be glad to see again is A.J. Russell. We are also eager to show all the new staff members, Eric Junge, Doug Banks, Oscar Salazar, Drew Garner and Maritza Castro how special our city, our ballpark, and especially, our fans are. I have never looked forward to a season starting more than this one."

The Chihuahuas open the 2021 Triple-A West season in Tacoma on May 6 and the home opener at Southwest University Park will be on May 13 against Albuquerque. All games will be heard on 600 ESPN El Paso with the "Voice of the Chihuahuas Tim Hagerty.