Carlos Mendoza (baseball manager)

Carlos Enrique Mendoza (born November 27, 1979) is a Venezuelan professional baseball manager for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously served as a bench coach for the New York Yankees.

Mendoza was born, raised and attended college in Venezuela. He signed as a free agent with the San Francisco Giants and also played for the New York Yankees organization as a utility infielder. Mendoza played in Minor League Baseball for 13 seasons.

Mendoza became a member of the Staten Island Yankees coaching staff in 2009 before joining the Charleston RiverDogs in 2010. During the 2011 campaign, he served as the manager of the Gulf Coast League Yankees. He then returned to the RiverDogs as their manager before the 2012 season. He became a roving defensive instructor in the Yankees' organization after the 2012 season.

After the 2017 season, the Yankees promoted Mendoza to their major league coaching staff as an infield coach. On November 11, 2019, he was named the bench coach of the Yankees, replacing Josh Bard.

On June 6, 2021, Mendoza was ejected for the first time in his MLB career by second base umpire Bill Miller despite not saying a word. He was likely confused with hitting coach Marcus Thames who was the one arguing. The game also saw fellow Yankees coach Phil Nevin ejected by home plate umpire Gabe Morales in the previous inning.

On November 13, 2023, Mendoza was named the manager of the New York Mets. He signed a three-year contract with a club option for a fourth year. On July 12, 2024, Mendoza was ejected from a game against the Colorado Rockies after arguing with home plate umpire Jeremie Rehak following a strike 3 call on Jose Iglesias, his first ejection as a manager. He was also ejected on September 27 in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers by umpire Ramon De Jesus for arguing a strike-three call on Francisco Álvarez.

On September 30, the Mets clinched a playoff spot, making Mendoza the first manager in Mets history to make the postseason in his first season, as a rookie manager. After defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in the Wild Card Series and the Philadelphia Phillies in the Division Series, the Mets season ended after a 10–5 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series.

On November 11, 2024, Mendoza was named a finalist for NL Manager of the Year for his successful turnaround of the Mets. He finished in third place, behind winner Pat Murphy of the Milwaukee Brewers and second place finisher Mike Shildt of the San Diego Padres.

Despite a disappointing 2025 season that ended in an 83–79 record and postseason miss, Mendoza was retained for the 2026 season. Mendoza received criticism for his handling of the bullpen by former Mets reliever Adam Ottavino.

As of April 29, 2026

As of November 2023, Mendoza is married to Francis Mendoza, and has two sons, Adrian and Andres.

• Career statistics from Baseball Reference (Minors)