Houston Astros fans might need to brace themselves for some less-than-ideal news regarding All-Star closer Josh Hader. After a shoulder strain cut his 2025 season short last August, Hader's recovery has been slower than hoped, lingering into spring training. Currently, he's limited to throwing from flat ground and hasn't yet taken the mound since camp began.
While there's no official word yet, the fact that Hader hasn't thrown a bullpen session suggests his status for Opening Day is uncertain. Chandler Rome from The Athletic provided a roster projection that didn't include Hader among the healthy pitchers expected to start the season in the bullpen. The same goes for Enyel De Los Santos, who is also on the mend from a knee strain.
It seems increasingly likely that Hader won't be ready to anchor the Astros' bullpen when the season kicks off.
Rome shed some light on Hader's offseason setback, revealing that the 31-year-old experienced biceps inflammation during his throwing program. Unless his recovery timeline speeds up significantly, Hader is likely to start the season on the injured list.
The origin of Hader's injury traces back to last summer when manager Joe Espada used him for a multi-inning stint against the New York Yankees. Hader has historically been averse to such appearances, and while Espada's decision might have been driven by a desire to capitalize on the Yankees' struggles, the urgency wasn't warranted given the Astros' situation at the time.
Once Hader returns, don't expect to see him in multi-inning roles; it’s clear that stage of his career is behind him.
If Hader isn't ready for Opening Day, Bryan Abreu is poised to step in as the Astros' closer. Entering free agency next offseason, Abreu was considered a trade candidate over the winter, but Hader's uncertain status likely kept him in Houston.