Albert Pujols set to interview for Astros managerial opening, sources say

Albert Pujols, the future Hall of Fame first baseman, is on his way to Houston and will interview for the Astros' managerial vacancy this week, sources confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday. His in-person interview is scheduled for Thursday.

The interview comes five days after the Astros named former St. Louis Cardinals executive Randy Flores as their new general manager. Flores worked in the Cardinals' front office first as director of scouting and then as assistant general manager. Before moving into management, he was a left-handed pitcher who spent eight years in the major leagues.

Five of those seasons were spent as Pujols' teammate in St. Louis, including the championship-winning campaign of 2006.

Pujols has been open about his ambition to manage in the big leagues since retiring as a player in 2022. In January 2025, he won a championship in the Dominican winter league in his first season in charge of the Leones del Escogido. He also managed the Dominican Republic in this year's World Baseball Classic, where his native country was eliminated by the United States in the semifinals.

During Major League Baseball's most recent hiring cycle, Pujols was a finalist for openings with the Los Angeles Angels and the San Diego Padres. Both clubs ultimately chose rookie managers, with the Angels hiring Kurt Suzuki and the Padres going with Craig Stammen.

The meeting with Houston will be Pujols' first interview with the organization, which is still working through its list of candidates. New York Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus is also among those under consideration, sources told ESPN.

Pujols remains connected to the Angels through a 10-year, $10 million personal-services contract that is nearing its fifth year. A buyout could be negotiated if the Astros decide to hire him as manager.

The 46-year-old becomes eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2028 and is widely expected to be elected on the first ballot.

Dominican journalist Mike Rodriguez was first to report the news. ESPN's Jeff Passan contributed to this report.