Astros Fire Joe Espada, Phillies Extend Don Mattingly Through 2028

Joe Espada sacked

Joe Espada has been fired by the Houston Astros after three seasons, while Don Mattingly has been rewarded with a new deal through 2028 by the Philadelphia Phillies following their Wild Card exits.

“We're thankful for Joe's hard work, his passion for the game...”

Joe Espada will not return as manager of the Houston Astros, while Don Mattingly has agreed to a two-year deal to manage the Philadelphia Phillies, the clubs announced Wednesday.

Both teams were knocked out in the Wild Card round of this year's postseason. Espada's contract was due to expire at the end of October, but Houston opted to part ways early.

The 51-year-old Puerto Rican served as an assistant coach in Houston from 2018 to 2023, notably helping the Astros defeat Philadelphia in the 2022 World Series.

Espada took over as manager in 2024, going 256-229 across three seasons and losing in the Wild Card round in both postseason trips. Despite an 81-81 record this season, Houston won the AL West, the worst record ever for a team to reach the postseason.

 

Astros announce they will not renew the contract of manager Joe Espada. https://t.co/b1Lonx6YWz

— MLB (@MLB) October 14, 2026

“We're thankful for Joe's hard work, his passion for the game, and for his commitment to the Houston Astros,” said owner and chairman Jim Crane.

Mattingly, who took over as Phillies interim manager after Rob Thomson was fired in April following a 9-19 start, went 79-55 the rest of the way and has been rewarded with a contract through the 2028 season.

Former Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora turned down the job in April and told Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski last week that he does not plan to manage in 2027, paving the way for Mattingly's return.

The Phillies have signed Don Mattingly to a two-year contract for the 2027 and 2028 seasons https://t.co/pvMJoThtFN

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 14, 2026