Houston Astros and GM Dana Brown part ways after team slips below .500
The Astros announced a mutual separation from general manager Dana Brown hours after the club fell below a .500 record and tied for the AL West lead.
Houston announced that general manager Dana Brown will leave the organization following a mutual agreement reached on Thursday. The decision was made shortly after the Astros dropped below a .500 winning percentage and fell into a tie for the American League West lead with the Texas Rangers.
In a statement, the team said Brown's responsibilities will be divided among several assistants, including senior advisor Jeff Bagwell, while owner Jim Crane will oversee baseball operations during the transition. The organization thanked Brown for his role in securing two division titles during his four-year tenure, and Brown expressed gratitude to the club and its fans.
The move comes after a 7-6 loss to the Oakland Athletics, in which Houston surrendered a six-run lead and allowed seven consecutive runs. The defeat left the Astros at 12-20 through April, though they later climbed to the division lead before slipping back into a tie in August.
Brown, who was in the final year of his contract, guided the team to AL West championships in his first two seasons and a Game 7 appearance in the 2023 ALCS. However, the club missed the postseason in 2025 despite an 87-75 record and has struggled to maintain consistent performance this season.
The Astros made a single roster addition before the trade deadline, acquiring outfielder Daulton Varsho, who has posted a .169 batting average in 18 games. The organization indicated that the change in leadership aims to address recent performance challenges.