Astros' Josh Hader: Final steps of rehab assignment
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Hader (biceps) will pitch for Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday and Thursday, which should represent his final steps before he's activated from the 60-day injured list, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Hader embarked on his minor-league rehab assignment in early May, and across seven outings he has allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out 11 batters over seven innings. Per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com on Sunday, Hader is expected to be activated from the 60-day IL in the first week of June, so he's unlikely to be available for the Astros' weekend series against the Brewers. However, the left-hander could be activated for Houston's following series against Pittsburgh that starts Tuesday.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Tracking toward early June return
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Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Hader (biceps) is in line to return from the 60-day injured list in the first week of June, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Hader has thus far looked sharp through his first six rehab appearances between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Sugar Land, covering six innings and striking out nine batters while giving up one earned run on four hits and no walks. Brown said that the left-hander is scheduled to pitch for Corpus Christi again on Sunday, then will require two more tune-up outings in the minors before getting cleared to return from the IL. Assuming Hader checks out fine from a performance and velocity standpoint during his upcoming appearances, he'll likely slide back into the closer role for Houston immediately upon being activated.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Looking at five more rehab outings
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Astros manager Joe Espada said Saturday that Hader (biceps) will log at least five more rehab appearances before he's activated from the 60-day injured list, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Hader has so far made four rehab appearances -- two with Double-A Corpus Christi and two with Triple-A Sugar Land -- combining to allow three hits with a 6:1 K:BB over four scoreless innings. With five more minor-league outings to go, the veteran reliever isn't expected to come off the IL when first eligible May 24, though Espada didn't clarify when Hader is slated to be activated, though it shouldn't be too long after that date. Bryan King has been working as Houston's closer of late in Hader's stead.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Transferred to 60-day IL
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The Astros transferred Hader (biceps) to the 60-day injured list Friday.
The Astros needed the spot on the 40-man roster to select Peter Lambert's contract from Triple-A ahead of Friday's start against St. Louis. With Hader being transferred to the 60-day IL, he won't be eligible to pitch until late May. Hader threw his first live batting practice Tuesday, essentially marking the start of his spring training.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Approximately one month out
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Hader (biceps) threw 20 pitches in a live batting practice session Tuesday and said afterward that it was akin to his first live BP of spring training, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
McTaggart notes Hader was sitting 91-to-93 mph with his fastball during the live session, and he says given Hader's quotes about where he is in his recovery the southpaw is "perhaps about a month away from returning, without any setbacks." Hader, who is working his way back slowly from a bout of left biceps tendinitis, added, "I'm feeling good, feeling strong. I got through it throwing relatively hard and commanded the baseball in the zone, commanded the slider, getting good whiffs on it. Ideally, that's what you want." Meanwhile, Bryan Abreu has struggled in the ninth inning for the Astros this season, opening the door for Enyel De Los Santos to earn a couple saves in recent days.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Seemingly close to facing hitters
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Hader (biceps) could face hitters next week, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Hader began the season on the IL after being diagnosed with biceps inflammation in the early portion of spring training. Astros GM Dana Brown said in late March that the veteran closer would begin facing hitters by mid-April, and that scenario still seems to be very much in play. Hader has been tossing bullpen sessions, and throwing to live hitters would represent another significant step in his rehab program. Activation before the end of April remains a possibility.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Completes bullpen Friday
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Hader (biceps) threw a bullpen session Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Hader's scheduled bullpen seemingly went as planned, which means the veteran lefty is still on schedule. Astros general manager Dana Brown said Thursday that Hader will begin facing hitters by mid-April, so he's still a ways away from returning.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Facing hitters by mid-April
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Astros general manager Dana Brown said Thursday that Hader (biceps) will begin facing hitters by "mid-April," Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Working his way back from left biceps tendinitis, Hader has been throwing off the mound since early March and is slated for another bullpen session Friday. He's still a couple weeks away from facing hitters, though, and will surely need a rehab assignment before being activated, making it unlikely he'll be back before late April. Houston will use Bryan Abreu at closer while Hader is sidelined.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Officially placed on injured list
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The Astros placed Hader (biceps) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Hader resumed mound work in early March but has not made an appearance in a game since he was diagnosed with left biceps tendinitis in early February. The southpaw is sure to require a rehab assignment before rejoining Houston's active roster. Bryan Abreu will be the Astros' closer while Hader is sidelined.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Will begin season on injured list
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Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Hader (biceps) will begin the season on the injured list, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Hader returned to the mound with a bullpen session Tuesday, which went well. However, he's simply going to run out of time when it comes to Opening Day. Espada did not offer a timetable for Hader's season debut, but it seems that the reliever's absence could be brief if he continues making strides in his recovery from left biceps inflammation. Bryan Abreu will open the season as Houston's closer.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Pleased with bullpen session
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Hader (biceps) said that it was "all positives" during a 15-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Throwing from the mound for the first time since he developed left biceps inflammation prior to reporting to Astros camp, Hader was pleased with his velocity, the action on his pitches and his mechanics during the bullpen session. When asked about his potential availability for Opening Day, Hader didn't dismiss the possibility, saying only, "we'll see." The consensus is that a stint on the 15-day injured list to begin the season is likely, but it's possible Hader could change the Astros' minds if he looks good over the next couple weeks.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Slated for mound work next week
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Hader (biceps) will throw a bullpen session early next week, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Hader developed left biceps inflammation before reporting to Astros camp and has been limited to flat-ground work since then. He also missed the final seven-plus weeks of last season with a left shoulder strain, so he hasn't pitched in a game setting since early August of last year. Hader is unlikely to have time to ramp up for Opening Day, setting up Bryan Abreu to serve as the Astros' early-season closer.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Could throw off mound next week
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Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Hader (biceps) could throw a bullpen session next week, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Hader has been limited to flat-ground work since he came down with left biceps inflammation just before the start of Astros camp. He is not expected to be ready for Opening Day, as Hader needs time to ramp things back up before being game-ready. Hader has not pitched in a game setting since early August of last year, as he missed the final seven-plus weeks of the season with a left shoulder strain. Bryan Abreu is lined up to serve as Houston's closer at the beginning of the season.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Plays catch off mound
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Hader (biceps) played catch off the mound Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Hader was just tossing the ball and not throwing a bullpen session, so while it's a step in his rehab progression, it's a minor one. Astros manager Joe Espada said Thursday that Hader is not yet scheduled for a bullpen session. It appears unlikely at this point that Hader will have time to ramp up for Opening Day, and if that's the case, Bryan Abreu would be in line to fill in as Houston's closer.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Might not be ready for Opening Day
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Hader (biceps) could begin the season on the injured list, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
The Astros have not ruled Hader out for Opening Day as he works his way back from left biceps inflammation. However, the closer is not included in the team's roster projection by Rome, who writes that it's "difficult to envision" the Astros rushing Hader back for the opener. Hader is currently limited to playing light catch on flat ground and it's unclear when he'll be allowed to throw off a mound again. If Hader does need to miss time, Bryan Abreu would assume the closer role for the Astros.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Plays catch Wednesday
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Hader (biceps) played catch out to 90 feet Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Hader is still in the early stages of his throwing program after he was briefly shut down earlier this month when he experienced inflammation in his left biceps. Prior to that, Hader missed the final month and a half of the 2025 season while recovering from a left shoulder strain, but he appeared to have a normal offseason before the biceps issue cropped up following his fourth bullpen session of the winter, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Hader still has a chance of completing his throwing program in advance of Opening Day, but if he suffers a setback or otherwise requires a brief stint on the injured list to begin the season, Bryan Abreu would likely rank as the top option for saves out of the Houston bullpen.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Diagnosed with bicep inflammation
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Hader will resume a throwing program Wednesday after being shut down since early February with left bicep inflammation, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
It seems the left shoulder strain that sidelined Hader for the final seven-plus weeks of last season is behind him, but now he has a new injury to contend with. The veteran reliever will resume throwing Wednesday and ramp up slowly, and his status for Opening Day is up in the air. If Hader needs some time on the injured list, Bryan Abreu would step in as the Astros' closer.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Expects normal offseason
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Hader (shoulder) stated Monday that he feels back at full strength after completing his rehab program a few weeks ago, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Hader's 2025 season came to an early end after he was diagnosed with a left shoulder strain, but he's feeling strong after finishing up his rehab. The lefty noted Monday that he thinks he'll be able to throw as he normally would leading up to spring training. "It should be normal," said Hader. "Obviously, intensity gets up and we'll see how that goes and how I'm recovering, bouncing back from that. But as of now, everything is status quo, back to normal."
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Astros' Josh Hader: Throwing off mound
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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.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Won't throw for three weeks
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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.
