Astros Reshape Front Office and Pitching Staff Amid Late-Season Push

• Owner Jim Crane has taken direct control of baseball operations after the Astros and general manager Dana Brown mutually agreed to part ways.

Dana Brown Out as Astros GM

• Manager Joe Espada will remain at the helm for the remainder of the 2026 season.

Sports Illustrated

• The club has rehired longtime pitching architect Brent Strom as a pitching consultant; he will work from the dugout in uniform during games.

Newsweek

Dana Brown assumed the GM role on January 26 2023, succeeding James Click. During his four-year tenure the Astros captured two AL West titles and reached the ALCS in 2023, but missed the postseason in 2025 and posted a sub-.500 record in 2026.

CBS Sports

Brent Strom, 77, returns after serving as Houston’s pitching coach (2014-2021) and stints with Arizona and Pittsburgh.

Associated Press

• The Astros’ win-loss record is reported as 66-67 or 65-66 (ESPN, AP), leaving them a half-game ahead of the Texas Rangers in the AL West.

Forbes

• Pitching remains a concern: staff ERA 4.68 overall and 5.17 for starters, ranking 25th and third-worst respectively.

Associated Press

• Houston’s pitchers have issued 550 walks, tying them for second most in the league, while recording 1,161 strikeouts, placing the team 10th overall.

Pitching Guru Brent Strom Back with Astros

Crane announced the front-office change, saying the decision was “mutual” and that senior adviser Jeff Bagwell and assistant GMs Charles Cook, Gavin Dickey, and Connor Huff will assume Brown’s duties during the transition. He added the organization will “keep working on it” to return to the playoffs.

Dana Brown Out as Astros GM

Brown thanked Crane and the Astros organization for the opportunity to serve as GM and expressed gratitude for his family’s support.

Dana Brown Out as Astros GM

Espada, after the series against the Yankees, said he is “excited” about Strom’s return and emphasized the need for a “fresh set of eyes” to help the pitching staff improve.

Associated Press

• “Over the past four seasons, Dana has helped our organization win two division titles and has led our baseball front office through key scouting, draft and development efforts,” — Jim Crane

ESPN

• “I want to thank Jim Crane for the opportunity to serve in my first role as an MLB General Manager,” — Dana Brown

ESPN

• “There's no good time for any of that, you know, when you let someone go,” — Jim Crane

ESPN

• “Focus on winning today, that's how I left that," Espada said.” — Joe Espada

ESPN

• “It’s a fresh (set) of eyes,” — Joe Espada

Associated Press

Sources differ on the exact win-loss tally (66-67 vs. 65-66), reflecting the rapidly changing schedule. No outlet provides a definitive timeline for the permanent GM search, and the impact of Strom’s consulting role on the staff ERA remains unquantified.

Newsweek

Crane will continue overseeing baseball operations while the Astros evaluate candidates for the permanent GM position. The team aims to solidify its standing in the AL West during the final stretch and secure a postseason berth. Strom’s involvement will focus on video analysis, throwing programs, and in-game adjustments, with the hope of improving the staff’s ERA before season’s end.

Newsweek