The Houston Astros faced a tough start to their season with a loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Opening Day. Mike Trout, ever the showman, launched a home run to lead the Angels to victory. But fear not, Astros fans, as Houston is gearing up for a rematch with LA on Friday night, ready to turn the tide.
Before the action resumes, let's delve into some key updates on the Astros' injury front, courtesy of Chandler Rome from The Athletic. Star reliever Josh Hader, who’s been sidelined with a biceps injury, threw a bullpen session today.
This is a positive step, indicating his path to recovery might be shorter than anticipated. While details of the session remain under wraps, the Astros are hopeful Hader will be back in action soon.
Hader, at 31, is coming off an impressive season with a 2.05 ERA over 48 outings, notching 28 saves and fanning 76 batters in 52.2 innings. His return could be a game-changer for Houston's bullpen.
In other promising news, Bennett Sousa’s oblique strain is a Grade 1, meaning his stint on the injured list should be brief. Meanwhile, Enyel De Los Santos is making strides with a rehab appearance in Triple-A Sugar Land, signaling that reinforcements are on the horizon for the Astros.
As the Astros prepare for another showdown with the Angels, scheduled for 8:15 PM EST, fans can expect a fiercely competitive clash in the American League West. With key players on the mend, Houston is poised to strengthen its lineup in the coming weeks.