Hader earned the save against the Nationals on Tuesday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one batter in one-third of an inning.
The Astros initially turned to Alimber Santa to protect their 6-2 lead in the ninth, but the right-hander gave up a solo homer to Jose Tena before giving up another single. Hader was brought out needing just one out to secure the save, but the southpaw gave up an infield single and a walk to load the bases before getting Dylan Crews to strike out swinging. Hader has converted on all 10 of his save opportunities this season and has a 0.59 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 25:8 K:BB across 15.1 innings.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Collects ninth save
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Hader earned the save Sunday against the Rays, striking out two and walking one in a scoreless ninth inning.
Hader entered with a two-run lead and worked around a leadoff walk to Junior Caminero to preserve the shutout and collect his ninth save of the season. The veteran closer has recorded multiple strikeouts in six of his last nine appearances and has been absolutely dominant since returning, converting all nine save opportunities while allowing just one run across 14 innings with a 24:7 K:BB.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Dominant in eighth save
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Hader earned a save against the Twins on Tuesday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning of work.
Hader was unsurprisingly called upon in the ninth inning with Houston holding a two-run lead. The veteran closer made quick work of Minnesota, notching a pair of punchouts while retiring the side in order on nine pitches. Hader didn't pitch for the Astros until June 3, but he hasn't wasted any time reminding everyone that he's still one of MLB's top closers. He's gone 8-for-8 on save chances so far while giving up only one run and posting a 21:5 K:BB over 13 innings spanning 13 appearances.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Nails down seventh save
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Hader struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his seventh save of the season in an 8-6 win over the Tigers.
The veteran closer continues to shine since making a belated season debut in early June after recovering from biceps tendinitis. Hader has been scored upon in only one of 11 appearances since coming off the IL, producing a 0.82 ERA, 0.36 WHIP and 17:2 K:BB in 11 innings, and he has yet to blow a save chance.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Secures sixth save
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Hader earned the save in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Blue Jays, allowing no hits and one walk with two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.
Hader was summoned to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning and worked around a one-out walk to close things out. In 10 appearances since returning from the injured list June 3, the 32-year-old has converted all six of his save opportunities while posting a 0.90 ERA, 0.40 WHIP and 16:2 K:BB across 10 innings. After missing the first couple months of the season due to a bicep injury, Hader has quickly reminded everyone that he's one of the top closers in MLB.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Locks down fifth save
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Hader secured the save Sunday against the Guardians, throwing a clean ninth inning. He struck out two.
Hader made quick work of the Cleveland bats Sunday, firing eight of his nine pitches for strikes. After missing the first two months of the season with left biceps tendinitis, the hard-throwing left-hander has been dominant in his return to Houston's closer role. Hader boasts a 1.13 ERA, 0.38 WHIP and 13:1 K:BB over eight frames while converting all five of his save chances.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Collects fourth save
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Hader earned the save in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Tigers, allowing one run on one hit and no walks with three strikeouts in the ninth inning.
Hader was summoned to protect a three-run lead in the ninth inning and yielded a leadoff homer before rebounding with three straight punchouts. It was the first run allowed by the 32-year-old in seven appearances since returning from the injured list June 3. He still sports a 1.29 ERA, 0.43 WHIP and 11:1 K:BB across seven innings while converting all four of his save chances.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Notches third save
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Hader picked up a save against the Tigers on Tuesday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter in one scoreless inning.
Hader unsurprisingly got the call for the top of the ninth inning with Houston up by two runs. The left-hander allowed a leadoff single to bring the tying run to the plate, but he retired the next three batters he faced to close things out. Hader is now a perfect 3-for-3 in save opportunities this season, and he's yet to give up a run while compiling an 8:1 K:BB over six innings spanning six appearances.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Second save of season
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Hader recorded his second save of the season while pitching a perfect inning in Friday's 10-8 win over the Royals. He didn't record a strikeout.
Hader has gone 2-for-2 in save chances this season, and he looks as dominant as ever despite not making his season debut until June 3 following a left shoulder strain that kept him sidelined for the first two-plus months of the campaign. Hader owns a 7:1 K:BB in five appearances in 2026 and has yet to allow a run or a hit.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Converts first save
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Hader walked one and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 11-9 win over the Pirates.
Hader missed more than two months due to left biceps tendinitis before being activated from the IL on Tuesdayand he was able to convert the save while throwing 17 pitches (11 strikes) in his season debut Wednesday. Hader's 2025 campaign was interrupted by a left shoulder strain, preventing him from earning his sixth 30-save campaign. He'll likely fall short of that mark again in 2026 due to the time he's already missed, but he looks ready to take full control of closing duties for the Astros.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Poised to return from IL on Tuesday
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Astros manager Joe Espada said on SportsTalk720 in Houston that Hader (biceps) will be activated from the 60-day injured list prior to Tuesday's game against the Pirates, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Hader has been sidelined all season due to left biceps tendinitis, but he's been cleared for activation after posting a 4.15 ERA and 11:3 K:BB over 8.2 innings on a rehab assignment. The lefty averaged only 92.9 mph with his four-seamer during his final rehab appearance, which is down significantly from the 95.5 mph he averaged last season for Houston. It's possible Hader is able to get his velocity back up to par once he pitches in major-league games, but it's something to keep a close eye on as he returns to the Astros' closer role. Houston might give Hader a few low-leverage outings before throwing him back into the ninth inning.
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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: 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.
