Notable events during Joe Espada's tenure as the Houston Astros' manager, which ended Wednesday, when the team opted not to retain him back.
2017
Nov. 6 - Espada, who spent the previous three seasons as the Yankees' third-base coach, is hired as the Astros' bench coach. He replaces Alex Cora, who left to manage the Red Sox after the Astros won the World Series.
2023
Oct. 20 - In arguably Espada's most notable moment as bench coach, he takes over after manager Dusty Baker is ejected in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series at Texas. Espada makes two pinch-hitting decisions in the ninth inning, with both reaching base before Jose Altuve's dramatic game-winning homer that gave the Astros a 3-2 lead in the series.
Nov. 13 - A little more than two weeks after Baker retires, Espada is promoted to manager, his first big-league managerial chance after interviewing with at least a half-dozen teams.
2024
Feb. 14 - In his first notable managerial decision, Espada names free-agent signee Josh Hader as the Astros' new closer, demoting Ryan Pressly to setup man after four seasons in the closing role.
March 28 - Espada makes his managerial debut and a 4-0 lead doesn't hold up as starter Framber Valdez loses control in the fifth inning and the bullpen completes the collapse as the Astros lose 5-4 to the Yankees to open the season at Minute Maid Park.
April 1 - Ronel Blanco no-hits the Blue Jays, making Espada the first manager in history to notch his first win via a no-hitter.
April 25 - The Astros' season reaches its nadir after a three-game sweep by the Cubs at Wrigley Field, with Houston's record sitting at 7-19. Espada earns his first career ejection in the loss.
April 27 - A two-game series in Mexico City begins with a 12-4 win over the Rockies. The series is later described as the start of the team's first-half turnaround. It begins a stretch of five wins in six games.
June 3 - Kyle Tucker fouls a ball off his right shin. Initially, his status is called "day to day" with a shin contusion. However, the injury proved to be a fracture, with the star outfielder sidelined until early September.
June 14 - Veteran first baseman José Abreu is designated for assignment, with the Astros eating nearly $30 million in salary. He hit just .124 with two home runs in 35 games.
July 29 - The Astros trade prospects Joey Loperfido, Jake Bloss and WIll Wagner to the Blue Jays for lefty starter Yusei Kikuchi in a hotly debated deal. Kikuchi proves to be a key contributor during the stretch run.
Sept. 1 - In an indication of how far they've turned things around, the Astros finish a four-game home sweep of the Royals, allowing nine runs in the series. Kansas City had scored 28 runs in a three-game sweep of Houston in April. The Astros' lead in the AL West reaches a season-high six games.
Sept. 24 - The Astros top the Mariners to clinch their fourth straight AL West title. Late-season addition Jason Heyward's two-run homer puts Houston in front and Framber Valdez and the bullpen hold the lead through a tense finish for a 4-3 win.
Oct. 2 - The Astros are swept out of the wild-card series with a 5-2 loss to the Tigers, dropping both games at home. Houston's streak of making the ALCS ends at a record seven years.
Dec. 13 - The Astros trade star outfielder Kyle Tucker, a year away from free agency, to the Cubs for a package of third baseman Isaac Paredes, infield prospect Cam Smith and right-hander Hayden Wesneski.
2025
Feb. 12 - Third baseman Alex Bregman, a pillar of the Astros' golden age, agrees to a three-year, $120 million deal with the Red Sox that includes opt-outs after the first two seasons.
March 27 - Espada's second season begins with a 3-1 win over the Mets at the newly renamed Daikin Park.
May 3 - Yordan Alvarez is scratched from the lineup with what's called inflammation in his right hand. The injury is ultimately revealed to be a hand fracture and sidelines Alvarez for 100 games, keeping a key bat out of the Astros' lineup.
July 6 - The Astros finish a three-game sweep at Dodger Stadium, which began with an 18-1 team. That boosts the Astros' lead in the AL West to a season-high seven games. But the Astros then lose seven of their next eight games.
July 31 - The Astros are active before the trade deadline, reacquiring former Houston star Carlos Correa from the Twins and in more minor moves, adding outfielder Jesús Sánchez from the Marlins and utilityman Ramón Urías from the Orioles.
Aug. 15 - The Astros' health woes continue as closer Josh Hader is placed on the injured list with a capsule sprain in his left shoulder. He ends up missing the rest of the season.
Sept. 15 - Just two weeks after returning to the lineup, Alvarez sprains his ankle stepping on home plate, an injury that ends up sidelining him the rest of the season. The Astros finish the season with 26 players spending time on the IL, including several starting pitchers.
Sept. 21 - With the AL West lead on the line, the Mariners sweep a key three-game series at Daikin Park, putting the Astros three games back with six remaining.
Sept. 27 - WIns by Cleveland and Detroit eliminate the Astros from playoff contention, keeping Houston out of the postseason for the first time since 2016.
Oct. 7 - The Astros confirm Espada and general manager Dana Brown will return in 2026, the final year of their contracts.
2026
Jan. 5 - Astros owner Jim Crane says the team has not discussed extensions for Espada and Brown, adding "I think we'll go through this year like we always do, evaluate it and then make the decision at the end of the year."
Feb. 11 - Closer Josh Hader reports to spring training with biceps inflammation. He doesn't make his season debut until June 3.
March 26 - Espada's third season as manager begins with a 3-0 loss to the Angels at home.
April 13 - In a span of 10 days, the Astros see three members of their starting rotation land on the IL, including ace Hunter Brown. Starting shortstop Jeremy Peña and center fielder Jake Meyers also get hurt during a 10-game road trip that ends with eight straight losses.
May 6 - The Astros announce third baseman Carlos Correa will miss the rest of the season after tearing a tendon in his left ankle in the batting cage.
May 24 - The Astros sweep the Cubs at Wrigley Field, beginning a stretch of six wins in seven games that includes a Memorial Day no-hitter at Texas by Tatsuya Imai, Steven Okert and Alimber Santa in his MLB debut.
June 28 - A 10-inning win at Detroit gets the Astros within a game of the AL West lead, the closest they've been since early April.
July 6 - After being staked to a 6-1 lead in Washington, struggling starter Mike Burrows gives up 10 runs in a 12-11 loss and is demoted to Triple-A the next day.
July 17 - For the third time in a four-game stretch, setup man Bryan King gives up an eighth-inning lead as the Astros lose. He's sent down to Sugar Land after the weekend.
Aug. 2 - The Astros sweep a three-game series against the Rangers at home to take a 2 ½ game lead in the AL West.
Aug. 23 - The Astros blow a six-run lead and lose to the MLB-worst Athletics at home, capping a 3-6 homestand against teams with sub.-500 records. Espada misses the final game of the series with what is called a family emergency.
Aug. 24 - The Astros announce they've parted ways with general manager Dana Brown, the man who hired Espada, effective immediately.
Aug. 25 - Crane says Espada will remain the Astros' manager for the rest of the season, adding that a decision has not been made on the manager's future.
Sept. 20 - A sweep by the Braves in their final home series drops the Astros into a first-place tie with the Rangers with six games left.
Sept. 27 - On the final day of the regular season, the Astros clinch the outright AL West title with a Rangers loss and win over the Athletics, giving Espada a second division title in three seasons as manager.
Sept. 30 - Houston's season ends with a two-game sweep in the wild-card round by the White Sox, leaving Espada winless as a manager in the postseason. After the Astros' ouster, he says he "absolutely" wants to return as manager and expects to meet with Crane in the upcoming days.
Oct. 13 - The Astros give Espada permission to interview with division rival Seattle for its managerial opening, per multiple reports.
Oct. 14 - The Astros announce they've parted ways with Espada after three seasons.
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There’s more to Houston with the Chronicle. Subscribe today for just 25¢.This article originally published at Timeline: A look at key events during Joe Espada's tenure as Houston Astros manager.