Astros hire A.J. Hinch as manager

The Astros have called a press conference to announce A.J. Hinch as their new manager, according to reports from Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle and Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com. Hinch will immediately take over the position that was left vacant by the firing of Bo Porter.

Hinch, 40, joins the Astros after resigning from a front office position with the Padres in August. Hinch, along with Omar Minaya and Fred Uhlman Jr., took over the general managing duties of the team after Josh Byrnes was fired in June, and helped San Diego swing trades that sent Huston Street, Chris Denorfia and Chase Headley to contenders before the trade deadline.

Hinch has major league managing experience with the Diamondbacks, who he managed for 212 games during the 2009 and 2010 seasons. The team posted an 89-123 record (.420) in that time, leading to Hinch's firing in July 2010.

Sources indicated in early September that Hinch would be a favorite for the job due to his familiarity with some inside the Astros' organization and his experience as a player, front office executive and field manager. He will work with general manager Jeff Luhnow to oversee the end of the team's rebuilding process, likely using the analytical side of the game as a major part of his job.

Before hiring Hinch, the Astros also reportedly considered Dave Martinez, Jeff Banister, Phil Nevin, Tom Lawless, Dino Ebel, Torey Lovullo, Don Wakamatsu, Pat Listach and Steve Buechele.