Astros Face Bullpen Shake-Up as Josh Hader Seeks Second Opinion
So here’s where things stand with the Houston Astros right now — and it’s not the kind of update fans were hoping for. Josh Hader, the All-Star closer who’s been locking down the ninth inning all season, has landed on the 15-day injured list with a left shoulder strain. And while that IL designation might sound short-term, manager Joe Espada has already made it clear — this is going to take longer than two weeks. That’s why Hader is getting a second opinion, and the uncertainty has put the Astros in a tough spot.
The timing couldn’t be much worse. Not long ago, Houston had a comfortable seven-game lead over the Mariners in the AL West. Now that lead is gone, and the race has tightened dramatically. Hader’s absence means the bullpen will have to be reshuffled, with roles adjusted on the fly. Espada hasn’t named a new permanent closer, instead hinting at a mix-and-match approach, but it’s likely Bryan Abreu and Bennett Sousa will handle the majority of the late-inning duties.
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Losing Hader is no small blow. In his second year of a five-year, $95 million contract, he’s been outstanding — 28 saves, a 2.05 ERA in 48 games, and he started the season converting his first 25 save chances, which set a club record. This is actually the first time in his career he’s been placed on the injured list for a physical injury, which says a lot about how durable he’s been up until now.
The trouble started after a heavy workload. On Friday in New York, Hader threw a season-high 36 pitches over two innings against the Yankees. He warmed up again on Sunday but didn’t pitch, then reported shoulder discomfort Monday. By Tuesday, he was unavailable for the Red Sox game, and the move to the IL was made official.
Houston has already shuffled the bullpen to adjust. Shawn Dubin returned from the IL but was hit hard by Boston, Colton Gordon was optioned after struggling, and Jordan Weems was called up from Triple-A. The team also signed veteran Enyel De Los Santos, who debuted with a scoreless inning. Still, without Hader, the late innings won’t feel nearly as secure.
Espada is trying to stay confident, saying he believes in the guys he has, but even he admitted losing Hader was “a punch in the gut.” And with the Mariners closing in fast, the Astros need this patchwork bullpen to hold the line until their star closer can return — whenever that might be. Right now, that’s anyone’s guess.
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