Parra, Cairo among new members of Nats' coaching staff

WASHINGTON -- The Nationals announced their 2024 coaching staff on Friday, which included both familiar faces receiving promotions and a pair of new hires.

Gerardo Parra moves from the front office to first-base coach, while Ricky Gutierrez moves from run prevention coordinator to third-base coach.

New to the staff for next season are bench coach Miguel Cairo and assistant hitting coach Chris Johnson.

Returning to their same roles are hitting coach Darnell Coles, pitching coach Jim Hickey, catching and strategy coach Henry Blanco and bullpen coach Rickey Bones.

Not returning from last season are bench coach Tim Bogar, first-base coach Eric Young Jr., third-base coach Gary Disarcina and assistant hitting coach Pat Roessler.

Promotions

First-base coach: Gerardo Parra
Parra, a former Nationals outfielder (and “Baby Shark” fan favorite), will be on the field for the first time as a coach after serving as a special assistant to the general manager last season. Parra, 36, is a 12-year Major League veteran, two-time Gold Glove Award winner and 2019 World Series champion. He played for the D-backs (2009-14), Brewers (‘14-15), Orioles (‘15), Rockies (‘16-18), Giants (‘19) and Nationals (‘19, ‘21).

Third-base coach: Ricky Gutierrez
Gutierrez, 53, was Washington's run prevention coordinator last season after he joined the organization in 2022 as a special assistant in the international scouting department. He also spent five seasons in the Reds' organization (2017-21), where he spent time as a Double-A manager, Single-A manager and Single-A bench coach. A 12-year Major League infielder, Gutierrez played for the Padres (1993-94), Astros (‘95-99), Cubs (2000-01), Cleveland (‘02-03), Mets (‘04) and Red Sox (‘04).

New hires

Bench coach: Miguel Cairo
The 49-year-old Cairo, a 17-year Major League veteran, was most recently the Mets' Minor League infield coordinator in 2023. His experience includes serving as the White Sox's bench coach (2021-22), the Yankees' Minor League infield coordinator (‘18-20) and a special assistant to the general manager for the Reds (‘13-17). As an infielder, Cairo was a member of the Blue Jays (1996), Cubs (‘97, 2001), Rays (1998-2000), Cardinals (2001-03, ‘07), Yankees (‘04, ‘06-07), Mets (‘05), Mariners (‘08), Phillies (‘09) and Reds (‘10-12).

Assistant hitting coach: Chris Johnson
Johnson, an eight-year Major League veteran, held the same role with the White Sox last season. He was also Chicago’s Triple-A hitting coach from 2021-22. Johnson, 39, was an infielder with Houston (2009-12), Arizona (‘12), Atlanta (‘13-15), Cleveland (‘15) and Miami (‘16).