SAN DIEGO — Two people with knowledge of the situation say the San Diego Padres have hired A.J. Preller as general manager.
The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the hiring hasn't been made official. The team called a news conference for 4 p.m. local time.
Preller has been assistant GM of the Texas Rangers. He has extensive international scouting experience, particularly in Latin America.
He beat out a field of finalists that included assistant GMs Mike Hazen of the Boston Red Sox and Billy Eppler of the New York Yankees, and Kim Ng, senior vice president for baseball operations for Major League Baseball.
Preller replaces Josh Byrnes, who was fired on June 22.