HOUSTON -- Astros manager Joe Espada wasn’t in the dugout at the beginning of Sunday’s game against the A’s at Daikin Park while he dealt with a family emergency, the team announced. Bench coach Omar López took out the lineup card and managed the club at the start of the game.
Espada is in his third season managing the Astros and has the team in first place in the American League West, entering Sunday one game ahead of the Rangers. Houston is looking to return to the playoffs this year after having its eight-year playoff streak stopped last season. The Astros missed the postseason by one game in ‘25.
Espada’s 240 wins as manager are the 10th most in franchise history, putting him 14 behind Hal Lanier (1986-88). He is in the final year of a three-year contract following six seasons as bench coach in Houston under A.J. Hinch and Dusty Baker, both of whom won World Series titles.
López has extensive managerial experience, but not at the Major League level. He managed Venezuela to the World Baseball Classic title this spring, beating the United States in the championship game. López’s first stint managing Venezuela in the Classic in 2023 ended in heartbreak. After going 4-0 in pool play, Venezuela lost to the United States in the quarterfinals.
López also led Santurce to the Puerto Rican Winter League title last offseason.