Mike Rizzo Gets Formal Interview With Jim Crane for Astros GM Job, Per Report
Former Nationals GM Mike Rizzo was still in Houston on Tuesday for a formal interview with Astros owner Jim Crane, USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported, and MLB.com's Brian McTaggart confirmed Rizzo is interviewing for the GM job.
Former Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo was "still in Houston having formal interview with Astros owner Jim Crane that began at noon today for their vacant GM position," USA Today's Bob Nightengale posted on X at 1:02 p.m. CT Tuesday.
MLB.com's Brian McTaggart confirmed the report at 1:16 p.m. CT: "Source: Mike Rizzo, the former Nationals GM, is in Houston interviewing for the GM job with the Astros, confirming @BNightengale report."
Monday's report
Nightengale reported Monday that Rizzo was interviewing for the Astros' GM job that day in Houston, citing two people with direct knowledge (our story). Nightengale wrote that Rizzo, 65, "has since informed friends of his deep desire to work for the Astros since the firing of GM Dana Brown in August," and that Rizzo pulled out of the Athletics' GM search after interviewing, "saying his preference was to join the Astros."
Rizzo became the Nationals' GM in 2009 and their president of baseball operations in 2013, according to USA Today. Washington beat the Astros in seven games in the 2019 World Series and fired Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez on July 6, 2025.
The search
Rizzo is one of seven outside candidates who have been reported. McTaggart reported Oct. 21 that Brewers assistant GM Matt Kleine appears to be the leading candidate, and that the Astros will fill the GM job before turning to the search for a replacement for manager Joe Espada. Houston's "preference is to have a GM in place by the time of the GM meetings on Nov. 9 in Las Vegas," Nightengale wrote Monday.
For every name in the mix, see our Astros GM search tracker.
Also on the farm
Astros prospect Nehomar Ochoa Jr. hit a ninth-inning grand slam for Scottsdale in the Arizona Fall League. Watch it on MLB.com.
Around the MLB
The Brewers can clinch their first World Series title Tuesday night in Game 4 at Tropicana Field (7 p.m. CT, FOX) after Monday's 10-1 win gave them a 3-0 series lead, per MLB.com. The Rays will start Griffin Jax, per MLB.com's preview.
Sources: Bob Nightengale on X (Oct. 27), Brian McTaggart on X (Oct. 27), USA Today (Nightengale, Oct. 26), MLB.com (McTaggart, Oct. 21), MLB.com (Ochoa video), MLB.com (Game 3), MLB.com (Game 4 preview).
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