Updated

Former Phillies general manager Ed Wade, most recently fired as GM of the Houston Astros, will return to Philadelphia's front office.

The Phillies named Wade a special consultant to the baseball operations department on Tuesday.

Wade served as Phillies general manager from 1998-2005, then spent five years in Houston from 2007-11. He was fired by the Astros in November after the club changed ownership. Houston had just one winning season with Wade at the controls and finished 2011 with the worst mark in franchise history at 56-106.

In his new role with the Phillies, Wade will assist in salary arbitration consultation while also scouting at the major and minor league levels.

During his eight years as Phillies GM, Wade was instrumental in acquiring players such as Shane Victorino, while draft picks included Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Cole Hamels. Three years after Wade left, the nucleus he helped construct won the franchise's second World Series title.

"Ed had a very positive impact on the success we had in 2008 and his experience and knowledge will be a solid addition to what I feel is as good a baseball operations staff as there is in the game," said current Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.

Prior to taking over as Phillies GM in 1998, Wade was an assistant to the general manager from 1989-97.