Texas Rangers to name Chris Woodward as new manager

Woodward interviewed with the club on Thursday. An announcement regarding his hiring could come as soon as Saturday, according to MLB.com.

The Texas Rangers are set to name Los Angeles Dodgers third base coach Chris Woodward as their new manager, according to multiple reports Friday night.

Woodward interviewed with the club on Thursday. An announcement regarding his hiring could come as soon as Saturday, according to MLB.com.

Woodward replaces Jeff Banister, who led Texas to a 325-313 mark across his four seasons at the helm before being fired with just over a week remaining in the regular season. The Rangers went 67-95 this year, finishing last in the American League West.

Bench coach Don Wakamatsu, who served as interim manager in Banister's place, was one of nearly a dozen candidates to reportedly interview for the Rangers' opening.

Woodward, 42, has served as the Dodgers third base coach the past three seasons. Prior to holding the job, he served as a minor league infield coordinator and infield coach in the Seattle Mariners' organization.

Woodward played 12 years in the major leagues, his last stint with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011. He was a career .239 hitter, also playing for the New York Mets, Mariners, Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox.