Brewers reinstate closer Josh Hader from COVID-19 list

As Adam McCalvy noted for the MLB website, the Milwaukee Brewers lost nine players to the COVID-19 injured list from July 27 through Aug. 7. Among them were All-Star closer Josh Hader and fellow southpaw Eric Lauer, who kept in shape by catching bullpen sessions for each other during their absences from the team. 

Hader was reinstated to the active list ahead of Thursday's game against the Chicago Cubs. Lauer, meanwhile, could return Friday if he passes the required tests. 

"The only symptom I had was losing my smell and taste, which was super weird," Hader explained. "But I was fortunate enough to still stay active and not miss too much time activity-wise. The taste part was probably the weirdest part."

Per ESPN stats, Hader last took the bump on Aug. 1 against the Atlanta Braves, when he earned his 22nd save of the season.

Milwaukee, meanwhile, started the afternoon at 69-46 and in first place in the National League Central standings, eight games ahead of the second-place Cincinnati Reds. The Brewers won 11 of 15 contests from July 27 through Wednesday evening.