“A punch to the gut”: Astros' closer Josh Hader placed on injured list due to left shoulder strain

Houston Astros' manager Joe Espada stated that All-Star closer Josh Hader has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to a left shoulder strain, which has caused him “heartache.” However, the team remains unclear about the severity of his injury and how long he will be out.

Hader's absence is a significant blow to the Astros' bullpen, forcing other relievers to take on different roles and requiring Espada to make adjustments based on the game situation. Hader could potentially return as early as August 26, which means he will miss next week's crucial series against the Detroit Tigers and all seven games against the Baltimore Orioles.

Espada mentioned, “He is seeing a doctor, and we are doing more tests, hoping this won’t be a long-term issue.”

Before the game against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, the Astros activated right-hander Shawn Dubin from the 15-day injured list and recalled left-hander Colton Gordon from Triple-A. Veteran reliever Héctor Neris was designated for assignment.

Josh Hader threw a season-high 36 pitches in last Saturday's game against the New York Yankees and was warming up to play on Monday but ultimately did not take the field. That marked his seventh multi-inning appearance of the season. On Tuesday in Houston, he reported shoulder discomfort, preventing him from playing against the Red Sox.

Espada stated, “This is not the news you want to hear.”

Espada did not specify which relievers would take on which roles, but it is likely that pitcher Bryan Abreu will step into the closer role in most situations. Abreu had appeared 53 times before Tuesday, with a 1.67 ERA, leading all major league relievers with 79 strikeouts, although he also issued 25 walks in 54 innings.

Left-hander Bryan King typically handles the seventh inning when the team is ahead, but he has allowed 5 runs, including 4 home runs, in the six games prior to Tuesday. Left-hander Bennett Sousa (with a 2.64 ERA) has made 41 appearances, averaging 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings.

Right-hander Kaleb Ort had not allowed a run in his last seven appearances before today, but his performance has been inconsistent. The team signed veteran Enyel De Los Santos to a major league contract last Friday, and he pitched a scoreless inning in his Houston debut yesterday.

Dubin's return provides the team with another option; he missed 41 games due to a forearm strain and can pitch multiple innings, face both left and right-handed hitters, and perform in high-pressure situations.

Espada remarked, “I feel good about all these players. I’ve told the relievers that Josh Hader’s success is due to having someone to hand him leads when he comes in. So these players have all helped him become the closer he is now. This is not to diminish Josh. Josh Hader might be the best, but you need teammates to help him reach that level, and these players are capable of doing that.”

In the second year of his five-year, $95 million contract, Josh Hader has appeared in 48 games for Houston this season, with a 2.05 ERA and 28 saves. Before today, his save total and strikeouts (second only to Abreu) ranked second among American League relievers. Earlier this season, he successfully converted his first 25 save opportunities, setting a franchise record.