By BERNIE WILSON
AP Sports Writer
SAN DIEGO — A person familiar with the decision says the rebuilding San Diego Padres have hired Jayce Tingler from the Texas Rangers as their new manager.
Tingler has most recently been the major league player development field coordinator for the Rangers. His only previous managerial experience has been at the lowest rungs.
He replaces Andy Green, who was blamed for the Padres’ second-half collapse when he fired with eight games left in the season.
Tingler faces tremendous expectations from ownership and a long-suffering fan base. The Padres were last in the NL West at 70-92 even after signing Manny Machado to a $300 million contract and promoting top rookies Fernando Tatis Jr. and Chris Paddack.
The former Missouri Tiger was member of the Hays Larks NBC runner-up team in 2000 and ranks in top 10 in Larks history in runs scored and stolen bases.