Modesto Nuts to relocate to San Bernadino after sale to Diamond Baseball Holdings
MODESTO – The Seattle Mariners Single-A affiliate Modesto Nuts will be relocating to San Bernadino after the 2025 season, the team announced Thursday.
Thursday's announcement comes with news that the Nuts were sold to Diamond Baseball Holdings, an organization that owns select Minor League Baseball clubs.
Part of the acquisition includes Diamond Baseball Holdings relocating the team to San Bernardino where they will go by the Inland Empire 66ers, currently the Los Angeles Angels' Single-A affiliate owned by Diamond Baseball Holdings.
In August, the Modesto City Council approved a year-long extension at John Thurman Field for the 2025 season. Multiple city council members hoped they could work out a deal to keep the Nuts in Modesto long-term.
The City of Modesto said in a statement that it worked to keep the team but the Mariners chose to go a different route. The city says it will look for ways to use John Thurman Field and explore other affordable sports and entertainment options.
The Nuts won 11 championships while in Modesto, including in 2023 and 2024.
Starting in 2026, the Inland Empire 66ers will be the Mariners Single-A affiliate. The Mariners are no strangers to San Bernardino as the team had two affiliations with the city from 1987-1994 and again from 2001-2006.
The 66ers have been in San Bernardino since 1987 and have played at San Manuel Stadium since 1996, where they will continue to play. They have six league championships, including two when they were a Mariners affiliate.
The sale is still waiting for final approval, but the team says it's expected to happen soon.
