Joe Espada joins Astros for Yankees series after family emergency

With the Houston Astros coming out of a brutal home stand, losing six of their last nine games at Minute Maid Park, the team is looking to get a boost for the next series against the New York Yankees, especially with their manager back in the dugout. As Astros manager Joe Espada had a sudden absence in the series finale against the Athletics due to a family emergency, he will be back for Tuesday’s start to the series in New York.

According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, Espada has “accompanied” the team for the road trip and will manage on Tuesday against the Yankees.

“Astros manager Joe Espada accompanied the team to New York and will manage the team tomorrow in its series opener against the Yankees, according to two team officials,” Rome wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

There was concern as Espada wasn’t in the dugout to start Sunday’s game facing the Athletics, though it was stated that it was because of a family emergency. In his place, it was bench coach Omar López who took over for the game, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.

“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,” McTaggart wrote.

More on Astros’ Joe Espada dealing with a family emergency 

Speaking after Sunday’s loss to the Athletics, López spoke briefly about the situation with Espada, saying that the manager “had probably one of the worst nights of his life last night.”

“Astros bench coach Omar López said manager Joe Espada ‘had probably one of the worst nights of his life last night.’ López said he spoke to Espada briefly and that he is “heartbroken.” Espada will accompany the team to New York for its upcoming road trip,” Rome wrote Sunday on X.

Houston looks to have Espada back as the team has a 65-66 record, which puts them first in the AL West.

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