Brad Ausmus returns to manage Houston Astros
The 57-year-old former catcher and coach will lead the club starting next season, marking his third major league managerial stint.
By Alyssa Parker ·
Brad Ausmus is set to return to the Houston dugout as manager. The team made the official announcement on Wednesday, naming the 57-year-old as its new skipper for the upcoming season. This appointment places Ausmus back in a familiar role after a period spent in coaching and front office positions across the league.
The hire concludes a search for new leadership for the Astros. Ausmus becomes the only active Jewish manager in Major League Baseball. His managerial resume includes stints with the Detroit Tigers from 2014 to 2017 and the Los Angeles Angels in 2019. In those roles, he compiled a career record of 386 wins and 422 losses. The organization will formally introduce him to the media at a press conference scheduled for Friday at Daikin Park in Houston.
Before this move, Ausmus worked as the bench coach for the New York Yankees from 2024 through 2026. He also held front office roles with the San Diego Padres and the Angels. His ties to Houston date back further. He interviewed for the managerial vacancy in 2020 and was considered for the general manager position in 2022. The club has been a central part of his professional life for years.
Ausmus spent ten of his eighteen major league seasons with the Astros. He played catcher for the team and finished his playing career with a .251 batting average, a .325 on-base percentage, and a .344 slugging percentage. His defensive play earned him three Gold Glove Awards while in Houston. He was also an All-Star selection in 1999 during his time with Detroit. The Jewish Baseball Museum notes that his 1,971 career appearances stand as the most ever by a Jewish player.
His work with Team Israel has been a recurring theme in his career. He managed the squad during the 2013 World Baseball Classic qualifiers. He served on the coaching staff for the 2023 tournament and managed the team again in 2026. In that most recent event, Israel won two of its four games, securing a spot in the 2030 competition. Nate Fish, CEO of Israel Baseball Americas, described Ausmus as a perfect fit for any team. Fish told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that Ausmus is smart, calm, and experienced.
Fish noted that this is the second time Ausmus has been hired in the majors after a stint with Team Israel. Fish emphasized Ausmus's deep roots in the Houston organization. The former player and coach said Ausmus is an ideal fit for the club given his long history there.
In a statement, Ausmus expressed excitement about returning to Houston. He said the Astros and the city have been a huge part of his life. He stated that he is thrilled to create a new chapter as the team's manager and cannot wait to get to work.
The Astros will hold a media session on Friday at Daikin Park. Ausmus will address the press and outline his plans for the roster. His extensive experience as both a player and a coach in the league will guide the team's direction for the year.
