General manager Dana Brown said Wednesday that Hader (shoulder) has thrown off a mound three times, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Hader's season ended in mid-August after he suffered a left shoulder strain, but he appears to be progressing well in his rehab program. The Astros have yet to establish a return timeline for the lefty closer, however, so his availability for the start of spring training remains unknown.
Hader (shoulder) has yet to resume throwing, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Hader has yet to resume throwing since being shut down Aug. 15 due to a left shoulder capsule injury. The 31-year-old previously indicated that he'd need roughly three weeks to ramp up once cleared to throw. It's unclear when he'll start throwing at this point, but his postseason availability will be threatened if he doesn't begin soon.
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.
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.
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