Ron Gardenhire is reportedly headed back to the American League Central to manage the Detroit Tigers in 2018, according to a report from Ken Rosenthal and Katie Strang of The Athletic.
Once the contract is completed, according to Rosenthal’s major league sources, the D-backs will have a spot to fill on its major-league coaching staff.
The 59-year-old Gardenhire just completed his first season as the right-hand man under first-year manager Torey Lovullo. The former major-league infielder did miss a chunk of the season recovering from prostate cancer surgery.
Gardenhire managed the Minnesota Twins for 12 seasons (2002-2014), where he became the winningest manager in franchise history (1,068-1,039) and guided the franchise to six postseason appearances.