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Michael Johns Joins Washington Nationals as Bench Coach Under Blake Butera

The former Rays first-base coach heads to Washington as Butera’s No. 2. Johns managed Durham Bulls in 2023 and five other Rays affiliates across eight seasons, bringing heavy player-development chops to a rebuilding club. For a young Nationals core, his minor-league track record and in-game experience add structure to Butera’s first staff ahead of 2026 spring training.