Houston Astros manager Joe Espada is expected to travel with the team to New York after missing Sunday’s game against the Athletics because of a family emergency.
Bench coach Omar López managed the Astros in Espada’s absence as Houston closed its nine-game homestand with a 7-6 loss to the A’s at Daikin Park. The Astros announced before the game that Espada was away from the team dealing with a family emergency.
After the game, López offered a sobering update on the manager.
López described Espada as “heartbroken” after speaking briefly with him Sunday. He also said the manager had experienced “probably one of the worst nights of his life” and is expected to make the upcoming trip to New York with the team.
No details about the nature of the family emergency have been disclosed.
Espada’s Status for Yankees Series Unclear
Although Espada is expected to travel with the Astros, there has been no confirmation that he will return to the dugout when Houston opens its series against the New York Yankees on Tuesday.
López, who normally serves as Houston’s bench coach, took out the lineup card Sunday and handled managerial duties in Espada’s absence. He has been with the Astros organization since 1999 and became bench coach when Espada was promoted to manager.
The Astros will have Monday off before beginning a six-game trip through New York, with three games against the Yankees followed by three against the Mets.
Houston will make the trip after a particularly difficult homestand. The Astros went 3-6 against the Mariners, Angels, and Athletics, falling to 65-66 and into a tie with the Rangers atop the AL West.
The Astros have offered no timetable for his return to managing, and the only indication for Tuesday is that he is expected to be with the club in New York.
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