The Houston Astros have named Washington Nationals third base coach Bo Porter as their new manager, the team announced Thursday. MLB.com says Porter will stay with the postseason-bound Nationals through the end of the season.
Porter is a Houston resident who had previously interviewed for the Miami Marlins' managerial opening, which was filled by Ozzie Guillen. Tony DeFrancesco has been the Astros' interim manager since Aug. 18, when the majors-worst team fired Brad Mills. Mills had been with the Astros since being hired on Oct. 27, 2009.
At only 40 years old, Porter is young enough to see through the league's biggest rebuilding project. The Astros are well on their way to the worst record in Major League Baseball for the second straight year and could face an even bigger uphill climb beginning next season, when they move to the American League West.
Porter played three seasons in the majors from 1999-2001 with the Cubs, Athletics and Rangers. He has previously served as a coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Marlins.