Houston Astros closer Josh Hader is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day as he deals with soreness in his left biceps, Astros manager Joe Espada reported on Wednesday. Hader, a left-handed pitcher and six-time All-Star, started throwing again during the team’s first workout session with pitchers and catchers but faced setbacks earlier this winter due to arm inflammation.
Injury Details and Recovery Progress
Earlier in the offseason, medical imaging revealed inflammation in Hader’s left biceps, forcing him to pause throwing for over a week. Manager Espada and Astros general manager Dana Brown both indicated that it was unclear if this injury would prevent Hader from making the Opening Day roster.
I don’t know really the timeline on it,
Brown said Wednesday.
The good thing is he was ramping it up and was on his fourth (bullpen session). The first three were seamless. The good thing is he feels good right now, he’s been feeling good for a few days and he’s going to throw today.
The current issue appears unrelated to the left shoulder capsule strain that caused Hader to miss the final 46 games of last season—the first time he landed on the injured list in nine years for reasons other than illness. At a charity event in December, Hader stated he felt fully recovered from that shoulder injury.
Hader’s Career and Recent Performance Overview
Last season, Hader posted a strong 6-2 record with a 2.05 ERA over 48 appearances for Houston, converting 28 of 29 save chances. The 31-year-old has accumulated 227 saves across nine major-league seasons, including stints with the Milwaukee Brewers (2017-22), San Diego Padres (2022-23), and the Astros since 2024. Overall, he holds a 34-31 record and a 2.64 ERA in 468 relief appearances.
Potential Impact on Astros’ Bullpen Strategy
The uncertainty surrounding Hader’s availability for Opening Day could present challenges for the Astros’ bullpen planning early in the season. As a key closer, his absence would require adjustments to late-inning roles. The team will monitor his progress closely to determine when he can return to full action and contribute to Houston’s 2025 campaign.
