The Astros hired Brad Ausmus as their next manager on Wednesday, Nov. 11, the team announced. The former Houston catcher will replace Joe Espada and lead the club into the 2027 season.
Ausmus, 57, returns to an organization where he spent 10 of his 18 Major League seasons. The Astros will introduce him during a Friday press conference at Daikin Park.
Astros Hire Brad Ausmus After Broad Search
New general manager Randy Flores led the final stage of the managerial search. Houston contacted more than four candidates at different points.
The publicly identified candidates included Ausmus, Albert Pujols, Morgan Ensberg and Luis Urueta. Pujols played with Flores in St. Louis, while Ensberg was Flores’ college teammate at Southern California.
Ausmus brought an advantage the other reported finalists lacked. He already had five seasons of experience as a full-time Major League manager.
The Astros also knew Ausmus well. Houston considered him for its managerial opening before the 2020 season. He later interviewed for the club’s general manager position before the 2023 season.
Flores said Ausmus demonstrated the leadership, energy and experience needed to support a winning organization. He also highlighted the new manager’s ability to build a strong culture on and off the field.
Ausmus Brings Major League Experience
Ausmus managed the Detroit Tigers from 2014 through 2017. Detroit won the American League Central during his first season and returned to the playoffs.
He later managed the Los Angeles Angels in 2019. Ausmus owns a combined 386-422 record across his five seasons as an MLB manager.
More recently, he served as bench coach for the New York Yankees. He worked under manager Aaron Boone for three seasons before returning to Houston.
Ausmus also managed Team Israel during the 2026 World Baseball Classic. That experience added another recent leadership role to his résumé.
A Familiar Figure in Astros History
Ausmus played for the Astros from 1997 to 1998 and again from 2001 through 2008. He caught more games than any other player in franchise history.
The three-time Gold Glove winner helped Houston reach the National League Championship Series in 2004. He was also part of the 2005 team that reached the franchise’s first World Series.
One of his biggest moments came during the 2005 National League Division Series. Ausmus hit a game-tying home run in the ninth inning of Game 4 against Atlanta. Houston eventually won the 18-inning game and advanced.
Ausmus also maintains a close relationship with former teammate Jeff Bagwell. Bagwell now serves as a senior adviser to Astros ownership and baseball operations.
Work Begins on the 2027 Astros
Ausmus takes over a team that finished 81-81 in 2026. Houston won the American League West but exited in the Wild Card round.
The Astros retained several coaches, including pitching coach Josh Miller, hitting coach Victor Rodríguez and first-base coach Dave Clark. Ausmus will help fill the remaining staff positions.
He will also begin building relationships with a roster led by Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez and Carlos Correa. Decisions involving the coaching staff and roster will shape the team’s direction this offseason.
For Astros fans, the hiring brings a familiar face back to Daikin Park. The Friday introduction will offer the first look at Ausmus’ plans for the Astros’ next chapter.