Astros' Josh Hader: Expected to be out until postseason
Rotowire
It will take Hader (shoulder) three more weeks to ramp up after his three-week shutdown, meaning he likely won't pitch again in the regular season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reported Friday.
Hader is dealing with a left shoulder capsule sprain, and it will take him approximately six weeks to get back to a point where he can pitch for the Astros. That timeline would mean a late-September return, so the expectation is that Hader won't be available until the postseason. Bryan Abreu got the first crack at closing duties and seems to be the frontrunner for saves the rest of the way. Houston has a half-game lead in the division but would likely earn a Wild Card spot if Seattle passes them for the division title.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Won't throw for three weeks
Rotowire
Hader has been diagnosed with a left shoulder capsule sprain and will not throw for approximately three weeks, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
After the three weeks of not throwing, the next steps will be determined in Hader's recovery. Hader received multiple medical opinions on his injured shoulder, and this is the current course of action. A return toward the end of the regular season seems like best-case scenario right now. Bryan Abreu picked up the save in Hader's absence Wednesday against the Red Sox.
Astros' Josh Hader: Getting second opinion on shoulder
Rotowire
Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Hader will seek a second opinion on his left shoulder strain and will be sidelined "a little bit longer than the two weeks," Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Espada would not reveal what the first diagnosis was, but the injury is at least bad enough that Hader will not be back when his 15 days on the injured list are up. More information on Hader's condition and timeline should be available after he gets the second opinion. Espada has said he will not name a closer while Hader is out, but Bryan Abreu is the favorite to see most of the ninth-inning work for the Astros.
Astros' Josh Hader: Lands on IL with shoulder strain
Rotowire
The Astros placed Hader on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, retroactive to Aug. 11, due to a left shoulder strain.
The All-Star closer was unavailable for the save Monday against the Red Sox due to left shoulder discomfort, and he's now been diagnosed with a strain. Hader will be eligible to be reinstated Aug. 26, though he's without an official timeline for his return since a recovery timetable has yet to be announced. Enyel De Los Santos and Bennett Sousa combined to handle the ninth inning Monday, but setup man Bryan Abreu is the likely favorite to fill in as Houston's closer.
Astros manager Joe Espada said that Hader wasn't available to pitch in Monday's 7-6 victory over the Red Sox due to left shoulder discomfort, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Espada didn't specify whether Hader will require a stint on the injured list due to the shoulder issue, as the Astros will sent the closer in for further tests before deciding his next steps. While Hader was unavailable Monday, the Astros sent right-hander Enyel De Los Santos to the mound to begin the ninth inning, and he retired two of three hitters before being pulled in favor of lefty Bennett Sousa, who struck out the left-handed-hitting Roman Anthony to secure the save.
Hader (6-2) allowed one unearned run on one walk and one hit across two innings to earn the win Friday against the Yankees.
Hader entered the game with the score tied at 2-2 in the ninth inning. He pitched a clean opening frame and then managed to protect a three-run lead in the 10th inning, despite giving up a run-scoring single to the second batter he faced. Hader has now gone eight appearances without allowing an earned run, picking up three saves and a win in that span.
Astros' Josh Hader: Clean outing in non-save situation
Rotowire
Hader walked one and struck out two across a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday against the Marlins.
Hader hadn't appeared in a game since Friday, so he made an appearance despite Houston holding a four-run lead. He walked the second batter he faced but ran into little trouble and has now turned in seven consecutive scoreless appearances since the All-Star break.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Nails down 28th save
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Hader picked up the save in Tuesday's 7-4 win over the Nationals, striking out the side in a perfect ninth inning.
The All-Star southpaw dispatched the Nationals, with nine of his 13 pitches landing for strikes. The three strikeouts were Hader's most since May 28 versus the Athletics, and he's tallied multiple punchouts in seven of his last nine outings. For the season, he owns a 2.22 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 73:13 K:BB while converting 28 of his 29 save chances over 48.2 frames.
Hader walked two in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Monday's 6-3 win over the Diamondbacks.
Hader got two outs on his first six pitches, then walked two batters before getting Josh Naylor on a flyout to end the threat. Hader took a blown save in his last appearance before the All-Star break and has walked four batters over three innings in two outings since the season resumed, which has made for a tumultuous July for the Houston closer. He's still been sharp enough when it matters, converting 26 of 27 save chances this season with a 2.36 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 66:13 K:BB across 45.2 innings.
