The Astros have hired New York Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus, who played 10 of his 18 MLB seasons in Houston, as the team's new manager, general manager Randy Flores said Wednesday.
This is the third different managerial job for the 57-year-old Ausmus, who managed the Los Angeles Angels in 2019 and spent 2014-17 leading the Detroit Tigers. He has a career record of 386-422.
"I am very excited to be back in Houston," Ausmus, who will be introduced Friday, 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.
"... I can't wait to get to work."
Ausmus will replace Joe Espada, whose contract was not renewed after the American League West champions were swept by the Chicago White Sox in the wild-card series.
The Astros had also interviewed Albert Pujos for the vacancy, sources told ESPN.
After missing the playoffs in 2025, the Astros went 81-81 this season to win the AL West for the fifth time in six years, becoming the first big league club without a winning record to reach the playoffs in a non-shortened season.
Slugger Yordan Alvarez flirted with the AL Triple Crown, ultimately winning the batting title (.316) and finishing fourth in the majors in home runs (42) and fifth in RBIs (106). Injuries also took a toll this season. Star infielder Carlos Correa didn't play after May 4, shortstop Jeremy Pena had multiple IL stints, ace Hunter Brown missed three-plus months and All-Star closer Josh Hader didn't make his season debut until June 3.
"We are thrilled to welcome Brad back to the Astros organization," Flores said in a statement. "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."
Ausmus, who retired as a player in 2010, served as the Astros' catcher from 1997 to '98 and again from 2001 to 2008. During those years, he played alongside Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell, who is now a senior adviser to Astros owner Jim Crane.
Ausmus interviewed for the Astros managerial vacancy in 2020 and again for the general manager job in 2022.
He has served as Aaron Boone's bench coach with the Yankees since 2024.
As a manager, Ausmus went 72-90 in his one season with the Angels and was 314-332 in four seasons in Detroit. His best season came in his first with the Tigers when they went 90-72 to win the AL Central before being swept by the Orioles in the AL Division Series.
He has also worked in MLB front offices, spending 2011-13 as a special assistant to baseball operations for the San Diego Padres and 2018 as a special assistant to the GM for the Angels.
In 18 MLB seasons with the Padres, Tigers, Astros and Dodgers, Ausmus played 1,971 career games with a .251 batting average with 80 home runs, 607 RBIs and 718 runs. He was a three-time Gold Glove winner, all with the Astros, and an AL All-Star selection in 1999.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.