Astros Facing Decision After Josh Hader Injury Update

Houston Astros star closer Josh Hader has been dealing with a biceps injury concern during spring training. On Wednesday, manager Joe Espada announced that Hader will begin the 2026 season on the injured list, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic.

"Astros closer Josh Hader will start the season on the injured list, manager Joe Espada said. Hader threw his first bullpen session of spring training yesterday and felt good, but the timeline the team has laid out won't have Hader ready for Opening Day," Rome wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

There is no reason to rush the 31-year-old reliever back from the injury. Hader will begin the year on the injured list and the team will re-evaluate his injury status after the first week or two of the season. It remains to be seen how much time Hader will miss as of this story's writing.

An All-Star for the sixth time in 2025, Hader recorded a 2.05 ERA across 48 appearances last year with Houston. He added 28 saves.

With Hader set to begin the new campaign on the IL, the Astros will need to decide their closer strategy to begin the season. Will they go with a closer-by-committee? Could Houston give the job to one reliever amid Hader's absence?

Astros' Closer Situation Amid Josh Hader's Injury

Espada will have a number of relievers to choose from if he wants to go with only one closer to begin the '26 season. Bryan Abreu, Bryan King and Enyel De Los Santos may all be candidates. It seems as if Abreu is the top candidate to receive most of the 9th inning opportunities, but Espada will have the option to be flexible and make decisions based off of matchups and which part of the batting order is set to hit.

For example, if the top of the lineup is due to hit in the 8th inning as opposed to the 9th, Espada could have Abreu handle the 8th inning in that scenario. Or, Espada could simply stick with having Abreu in the 9th. In other words, he will have the ability to make adjustments, which is a change in itself because Hader is a 9th inning guy when healthy most of the time.

The Astros' bullpen could find success in 2026 once Josh Hader returns from injury. Updates on his return timeline will continue to be provided as they are made available.