Astros implement bullpen shakeup as Hader lands on IL with shoulder strain
The Houston Astros announced that closer Josh Hader has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to a left shoulder strain, with no immediate timeline for his return. This marks the first time Hader has ever missed a major league game due to an injury, aside from a COVID-related IL stint in 2021. The team has not yet pinned down how long he might be out, as additional testing is ongoing to gauge the severity of the strain.
In the meantime, manager Joe Espada indicated the club won’t immediately name a new closer, opting instead for a mix-and-match approach to late-inning work while Hader is sidelined. The Astros also announced a series of related roster moves: Colton Gordon was recalled from Triple-A, right-hander Shawn Dubin was reinstated from the injured list, and veteran reliever Hector Neris was designated for assignment.
Hader’s absence comes as a significant setback. He’s been one of baseball’s most durable relievers, and this season he has delivered 52 2/3 innings with a stingy 2.05 ERA, 28 saves, and a strong 36.9% strikeout rate against a 7.6% walk rate. His fastball averages 95.5 mph, though it’s dipped slightly from last year, and he’s leaned more on his slider, throwing it about 41.4% of the time. His 21.1% swinging-strike rate ranks among the sport’s elite for relievers with at least 10 innings this season.
Houston’s other late-inning options now include Bryan Abreu, who becomes the likely anchor of the bullpen in Hader’s absence. Left-handed options such as Bryan King, Bennett Sousa, and Steven Okert are also in the mix and have all posted ERAs at or below 3.10 this season. With Neris removed from the roster, Abreu could see extended work in the eighth inning on occasions, particularly when matching up against tough right-handed hitters, while the trio of lefties remains capable of handling late-inning duties in various configurations.
The bullpen reshuffle comes as Houston tries to hold off a surging Seattle club that has won seven straight to close the gap in the AL West. Houston’s roster moves also reflect the ongoing search for stability behind Hader, as the team weighs waiver options for Neris and seeks to keep the back end of the bullpen productive while the closer’s role remains unsettled.
Context and outlook:
– Hader’s contract remains an immense commitment for the Astros, a five-year, $95 million deal signed in the 2023-24 offseason, with $19 million paid annually through 2028, making him one of the premier relievers in baseball when healthy.
– Neris, who has struggled with the Astros, Angels, and Braves this season, has posted a 6.75 ERA across 26 2/3 innings. His statistics this year — including a career-low velocity on his fastball and sinker and fewer whiffs off his splitter — have contributed to Houston’s decision to designate him for assignment.
– The club’s current plan hinges on depth and flexibility in the late innings, with Abreu as the presumed closer, supplemented by King, Sousa, and Okert. The group’s effectiveness will be tested as Houston navigates a tighter race in the division.
Summary:
The Astros face an interim period without Josh Hader, a foundational piece of their bullpen, and will lean on Abreu and a multi-faceted group of relievers to protect late leads. The situation adds urgency to Houston’s preparations as they try to maintain momentum against a Mariners club that has surged in the standings.
Additional notes and context:
– If another team claims Neris off waivers, Houston would risk losing a veteran option but could gain a clear path to restock with a different look at the back end.
– The immediate focus for Houston is to stabilize late-inning strategy without a defined closer, while waiting for more information on Hader’s recovery and potential return timeline.
Potential positive takeaway:
– The Astros have demonstrated breadth in the bullpen this season, and a well-structured committee can still yield effective saves and setup roles even with a top closer out. If Abreu returns to form quickly and the left-handed trio performs as they have this year, Houston can weather the setback and keep pace in a competitive division race.