Brad Ausmus Returns to Astros as Manager, Replacing Joe Espada

The Houston Astros have hired Brad Ausmus as their new manager, bringing the former catcher back to an organization where he spent 10 seasons as a player. Ausmus replaces Joe Espada and will be introduced at Daikin Park on Friday.

The appointment makes Ausmus the 21st manager in franchise history and gives new general manager Randy Flores an experienced leader for the Astros’ next chapter. Houston did not renew Espada’s contract after an 81-81 season ended with a Wild Card Series sweep by the Chicago White Sox.

A familiar face returns to Houston

Ausmus, 57, played 1,259 games for the Astros across two stints from 1997-98 and 2001-08, the most games caught in franchise history. He won three Gold Glove Awards with Houston and was part of the 2005 team that reached the first World Series in club history.

Flores said Ausmus stood out during the interview process for his leadership, energy and experience. Ausmus called Houston a major part of his life and said he was eager to begin a new chapter with the club.

The hiring also reunites Ausmus with an Astros roster built around Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez and Carlos Correa. Houston won the American League West in 2026 despite finishing with an 81-81 record, but its early postseason exit prompted another round of organizational change.

Ausmus brings five years of MLB managerial experience

This will be Ausmus’ third major league managing job. He went 314-332 over four seasons with the Detroit Tigers from 2014-17, winning 90 games and the AL Central title in his first year. He later managed the Los Angeles Angels to a 72-90 record in 2019.

Ausmus spent the past three seasons as the New York Yankees’ bench coach, working alongside manager Aaron Boone. He also managed Israel in World Baseball Classic competition and previously held front-office roles with the San Diego Padres and Angels.

Houston retained several members of its 2026 staff, including pitching coach Josh Miller, hitting coach Victor Rodríguez and first-base coach Dave Clark. Ausmus is expected to have input as the Astros fill the remaining coaching vacancies and reshape a roster that used a franchise-record 19 starting pitchers last season.

His appointment completes one of Houston’s two major leadership searches after Flores was hired as general manager in late October. The Astros now enter the offseason with a familiar figure in the dugout and a new decision-making structure above it.