Rod Barajas named Padres bench coach after three seasons with Chihuahuas

The Chihuahuas are looking for a new manager after Rod Barajas was promoted by the Padres.

Barajas, who led the Chihuahuas to three division titles in three seasons as manager, will now serve as the bench coach for the Padres.

The Chihuahuas went 228-196 under Barajas and added a Pacific Coast League Championship in 2016.

The Dogs also won a franchise-record 82 games this past season.

Barajas is entering his first season with the Padres at the Major League level, but he has been in the organization for the past five years.

Prior to taking the helm of El Paso, Barajas spent the 2015 season as hitting coach for Single-A Lake Elsinore before taking over as manager of Double-A San Antonio that June. He began the 2014 campaign as manager of the organization’s Rookie-Level affiliate in Peoria, Ariz. and finished the season with Lake Elsinore as hitting coach.

He also played professionally for 17 years, spending at least part of 14 seasons in the Big Leagues.

The former catcher hit 136 home runs in his pro career while driving in 480 runs for seven different Major League organizations.