Angels Fire Mike Maddux as Pitching Staff Issues MLB-Worst 508 Walks

The Los Angeles Angels dismissed pitching coach Mike Maddux and two assistants following a 4.51 ERA performance and an MLB-high 508 walks.

The Los Angeles Angels fired pitching coach Mike Maddux, assistant pitching coach Darryl Scott, and bullpen coach Dom Chiti on Tuesday. Through games played on Monday, the Angels' pitching staff posted a 4.51 ERA, which ranks as the seventh-worst mark in the major leagues. Additionally, the club has surrendered 508 walks this season, the highest total in MLB. These dismissals come as the franchise carries a 45-74 record, the worst in the majors, while approaching an 11th consecutive losing season.

Interim general manager and baseball operations consultant John Mozeliak announced the coaching changes following consultations with manager Kurt Suzuki. Mozeliak stated that the decision was reached after discussing the current state of the coaching staff and the desired direction for the future. The organization intends to utilize the final seven weeks of the regular season to evaluate necessary steps for elevating the pitching program. This front-office shift follows the late June firing of former general manager Perry Minasian.

Interim Coaching Appointments and Staff Transitions

Tim Leveque has been promoted to serve as the interim pitching coach for the remainder of the season. Leveque previously served as the pitching coach for the Rocket City Trash Pandas, the Angels' Double-A affiliate, where he was in his first year. His professional history includes a lengthy tenure within the St. Louis Cardinals organization, coinciding with Mozeliak’s time leading that club. Michael Wuertz will assume the role of interim bullpen coach to fill the vacancy left by Chiti.

Mike Maddux’s Coaching Legacy and Tenure

Mike Maddux, who will turn 65 on August 27, joined the Angels this past offseason on a one-year contract. His departure marks the end of a stint where he sought to replicate the success found during his 24-year coaching career. Maddux previously led pitching staffs for the Milwaukee Brewers from 2003 to 2008 and the Washington Nationals between 2016 and 2017. He also spent five seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals from 2018 to 2022.

His most notable contributions occurred during two separate stints with the Texas Rangers, spanning 2009 to 2015 and 2023 to 2025. During his time in Arlington, Maddux won a World Series championship in 2023 and oversaw a staff that achieved the best ERA in the major leagues in 2025. Before transitioning to coaching, Maddux spent 15 years pitching in the major leagues.

Background on Dismissed Assistants

Dom Chiti was in his first season as the bullpen coach during this current tenure, having rejoined the Angels organization in late 2023. Darryl Scott also concluded his first year with the Angels after spending several previous seasons on the coaching staff of the Colorado Rockies. The restructuring of the pitching department is the second major leadership change for the club in less than three months as they navigate the bottom of the standings.