Sports · Baseball · 4 hrs ago
Astros Hire Former Catcher Brad Ausmus as Manager
The Houston Astros have hired Brad Ausmus as manager, bringing back a former catcher who played 10 of his 18 major-league seasons with the team.
Ausmus was most recently the New York Yankees’ bench coach and has also managed the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels.
He takes over from Joe Espada, whose contract was not renewed after three seasons in charge.
Houston won the American League West in 2026 but finished with an 81-81 record and was swept in the wild-card series.
The team has not won a playoff game since 2023, and injuries affected several key players this season.
Ausmus has three Gold Gloves from his playing career and is a familiar figure to Astros fans.
His next task is to lead a team facing questions about its future, including whether to keep pursuing contention or rebuild; the sources say that decision remains unclear.
The Houston Astros have hired former catcher Brad Ausmus as their manager.
Ausmus was most recently the New York Yankees’ bench coach.
He replaces Joe Espada, whose contract was not renewed after three seasons as Houston’s manager.
Ausmus played 10 of his 18 major-league seasons with the Astros.
Houston went 81-81 and won the American League West in 2026.
- Who
- The Houston Astros hired Brad Ausmus, a former Astros catcher and Yankees bench coach.
- What
- Ausmus was named the Astros’ manager, replacing Joe Espada.
- When
- The hiring was announced on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026.
- Where
- Houston, Texas; Ausmus previously played for the Astros.
- Why
- The Astros were filling their managerial vacancy after Espada’s contract was not renewed. The sources do not state a specific reason for choosing Ausmus.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ausmus managed the Detroit Tigers, who went 314-332 during his tenure.
Ausmus managed the Los Angeles Angels, who finished 72-90.
Ausmus served as the Yankees’ bench coach.
The Astros parted ways with manager Joe Espada after three seasons.
The Astros announced Ausmus as their new manager.
- Manager
- Brad Ausmus
- Previous role
- New York Yankees bench coach
- Astros playing tenure
- 10 of his 18 MLB seasons
- Astros record in 2026
- 81-81
- Detroit managerial record
- 314-332 from 2014-17
- Gold Gloves
- 3, all earned as an Astros catcher
6 sources
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What people are saying
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.
We are thrilled to welcome Brad back to the Astros organization
Brad impressed us throughout the interview process, demonstrating the leadership, energy, and expertise critical to driving a winning culture both on and off the field.