San Diego Padres relief pitcher Josh Hader. Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Padres to give Josh Hader 'a little break' from closing games

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 8/20/22

Since being acquired ahead of the trade deadline, San Diego Padres' closer Josh Hader has struggled with his new squad.

Hader's latest meltdown occurred on Friday night. He took the loss against the Washington Nationals after allowing three earned runs in the ninth without recording an out.

On Saturday, Padres' manager Bob Melvin said the team would give Hader "a little break" from the closer role. According to Melvin, the Padres will go closer by committee for now and use Hader in lower-leverage situations.

Bob Melvin said the Padres are giving Josh Hader “a little break” from the closer role. For now, they will use a closer by committee.
— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) August 20, 2022

The 28-year-old has struggled mightily with San Diego since being dealt by the Milwaukee Brewers on Aug. 1.

Hader is 1-1 with a blown save and a 16.20 ERA in 3.1 innings pitched since joining the Padres.

Speaking with reporters on Saturday, Hader said his recent struggles are related to his pitching mechanics. He told The Athletic's Dennis Lin he's been pitching "east to west" when you want to "work north-south."

Despite losing two straight games, Hader and the Padres own the third and final wildcard spot in the National League with a 66-56 record. The Brewers (63-56) lurk just outside the wildcard picture, sitting 1.5 games behind the Padres in the playoff race.

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