Brad Ausmus has been hired as the new manager of the Houston Astros, returning to the organization where he played 10 of his 18 major league seasons.
The team confirmed the hiring on Wednesday, following initial reports from ESPN 97.5 Houston and MLB.com that the 57-year-old would fly to Houston to accept the position.
"I am very excited to be back in Houston," Ausmus said in a statement. "The Astros and the city of Houston have been a huge part of my life, and I’m thrilled to create a new chapter as the team’s manager."
The Astros will reportedly hire Brad Ausmus as their next manager, per MLB’s @brianmctaggart. pic.twitter.com/hXe3IDLIUP
Replacing Joe Espada
Ausmus steps into the role after the club opted not to renew the contract of Joe Espada following the 2026 season. The transition comes after the Astros, despite winning the American League West, were swept by the Chicago White Sox in the Wild Card round.
This marks the third managerial stop for Ausmus, who previously led the Detroit Tigers from 2014 to 2017 and the Los Angeles Angels in 2019. According to ESPN, he holds a career managerial record of 386-422. His tenure in Detroit included an AL Central title in his first season, though he was dismissed following a 98-loss campaign in 2017. His time with the Angels lasted one season, finishing 72-90.
Ausmus press release quote: “I am very excited to be back in Houston. The Astros and the City of Houston have been a huge part of my life, and I’m thrilled to create a new chapter as the team’s manager. I’d like to thank Randy and the entire Astros organization for this…”
Reconnecting With Houston Leadership
The decision to hire Ausmus follows an interview process that also included Albert Pujols, Morgan Ensberg, and Luis Urueta. The front office search was led by new general manager Randy Flores, who was hired two weeks prior to the managerial announcement.
Ausmus maintains long-standing ties to the Houston organization. He played alongside current senior adviser Jeff Bagwell, who remains a key influence on owner Jim Crane. Ausmus had been linked to the Astros’ managerial and general manager openings multiple times in recent years while serving as a bench coach for the Oakland Athletics and, most recently, the New York Yankees.
Managing a Changing Roster
The new manager inherits a roster currently in transition. While the team features core talent like Jose Altuve, signed through 2029, and Yordan Alvarez, other contributors are approaching free agency over the next two seasons.
The club faces a challenge in restocking talent, as prolonged contention has led to lower draft positions. The farm system was also impacted by penalties related to the team's sign-stealing scandal.
The hiring of Ausmus is official. He will be introduced as manager at a press conference Friday morning at Daikin Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
In addition to Brad Ausmus, the club interviewed Albert Pujols, Luis Urueta, and Morgan Ensberg, according to reports from ESPN.
Key players including Yordan Alvarez, Jeremy Peña, Isaac Paredes, Hunter Brown, Christian Walker, Yainer Diaz, Cristian Javier, and Josh Hader are slated for free agency after 2027 or 2028. Jose Altuve remains under contract through 2029.
When will the new manager be introduced?
Ausmus is scheduled to be introduced as the Astros’ manager on Friday.
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