Mike Rizzo Interviews for Houston Astros GM Position
The veteran executive is a candidate to replace the recently fired Dana Brown in the Houston front office.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Baseball
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Mike Rizzo, who spent 19 years with the Washington Nationals, interviewed for the Houston Astros general manager vacancy on October 26, 2026. The organization is conducting a search for its fourth leader since 2020.
Why it matters
The Astros are looking to stabilize their front office following the August 2026 firing of Dana Brown and a disappointing first-round exit in the 2026 playoffs.
Mike Rizzo, age 65, oversaw a tenure in Washington that included nine postseason appearances over ten years. His Nationals record leading up to his 2025 firing stood at 37-53.
The players
Mike Rizzo
The 65-year-old executive served as the general manager for the Washington Nationals for 19 years before his 2025 departure.
Houston Astros
This Major League Baseball franchise based in Houston is currently seeking a new general manager following a first-round postseason loss in 2026.
Dana Brown
He served as the general manager of the Houston Astros until he was fired by the organization in August 2026.
Matt Klein
He currently serves as the assistant general manager for the Milwaukee Brewers and is a candidate in the Astros search.
Dave Martinez
He served as the manager of the Washington Nationals and was fired alongside Mike Rizzo in July 2025.
The details
Rizzo joined the Nationals in 2006 and helped grow the team from 59 wins in 2009 to 98 wins by 2012. The Astros have also interviewed Milwaukee Brewers assistant general manager Matt Klein as part of their private search.
Timeline
Mike Rizzo joined the Washington Nationals in 2006.
Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez were fired on July 6, 2025.
The Houston Astros fired general manager Dana Brown in August 2026.
Rizzo interviewed for the Astros GM job on October 26, 2026.
The Astros have a target hiring date of November 9, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This search follows the organizational instability triggered by the firing of Jeff Luhnow in 2020. The selection of a new leader is critical for the franchise to rebuild its front office hierarchy after recent postseason failures.
The hire will dictate the roster construction strategy for the upcoming season as the team attempts to improve upon their 2026 playoff performance. Fans should monitor this decision for signals regarding potential changes to the team's core player personnel and salary cap approach.
The takeaway
The Houston Astros are prioritizing experience by interviewing veteran executives with decades of tenure in the league. This move signals an organizational intent to move quickly to restore stability before the start of the next season.
What happens next
The Houston Astros intend to finalize their hiring process and name a new general manager by November 9, 2026.
Further reading
For more updates on the team's front office changes, visit Houston Baseball.
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