The former Astros catcher returns after three years as the Yankees’ bench coach and replaces Joe Espada.
Read the storyNovember 11, 2026, 11:38 a.m. Central time.
The Houston Astros have named former catcher Brad Ausmus their next manager, bringing back a familiar face as the club enters a new chapter under general manager Randy Flores.
The team announced the hire Wednesday and plans to introduce Ausmus at Daikin Park on Friday, MLB.com reported. Ausmus replaces Joe Espada, whose contract was not renewed after three seasons.
Ausmus spent 10 of his 18 major league playing seasons with Houston across two stints. He caught for the Astros during their 2005 World Series run and won three Gold Gloves with the club, according to MLB.com.
The 57-year-old spent the past three years as the New York Yankees’ bench coach. He previously managed the Detroit Tigers from 2014 through 2017 and the Los Angeles Angels in 2019; his teams had a combined 386–422 regular-season record. Detroit won the American League Central in 2014.
Ausmus joins Flores, the former St. Louis Cardinals executive hired as general manager this offseason. Flores said in a team statement that Ausmus impressed the club during its interviews, CBS Sports reported.
The club must now finish assembling its coaching staff. Ausmus’s introduction is scheduled for Friday; the Astros have not announced every detail of that staff.
1997–98 and 2001–08: Ausmus played for Houston. 2014–17 and 2019: He managed Detroit and the Angels. November 11, 2026: Houston announced his hire.
The star marks approximate central Houston, home of the Astros.
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MLB.com: Astros announce hire · CBS Sports: manager announcement · Houston Chronicle: Astros hire Ausmus
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