The Houston Astros have named Tony DeFrancesco as interim manager, following the firing of Brad Mills Saturday night. DeFrancesco is a longtime minor league manager and former third base coach of the Oakland Athletics. Since 2011, he has been manager of the Oklahoma RedHawks, the Astros' triple-A affiliate. DeFrancesco will be joined by two other coaches brought from Oklahoma.
Houston GM Jeff Luhnow announced the move in a Sunday morning press conference, stating that DeFrancesco will finish the season but that a thorough search for a permanent manager will begin immediately. Luhnow declined to name any particular candidates. He did admit that the decision to terminate Brad Mills was made last week, but that Mills was notified last night so that the new staff could be put in place before the Astros' upcoming road trip. He also praised the clubhouse culture in Oklahoma City as his primary reason for appointing DeFrancesco.
DeFrancesco's tenure as manager is set to begin this afternoon, as the Astros host Arizona in the final game of a three-game series at Minute Maid Park.
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