Josh Hader

Fantasy News

• Astros' Josh Hader: Completes bullpen Friday

  Rotowire Mar 27, 2026

  Hader (biceps) threw a bullpen session Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Hader's scheduled bullpen seemingly went as planned, which means the veteran lefty is still on schedule. Astros general manager Dana Brown said Thursday that Hader will begin facing hitters by mid-April, so he's still a ways away from returning.

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• Astros' Josh Hader: Facing hitters by mid-April

  Rotowire Mar 26, 2026

  Astros general manager Dana Brown said Thursday that Hader (biceps) will begin facing hitters by "mid-April," Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Working his way back from left biceps tendinitis, Hader has been throwing off the mound since early March and is slated for another bullpen session Friday. He's still a couple weeks away from facing hitters, though, and will surely need a rehab assignment before being activated, making it unlikely he'll be back before late April. Houston will use Bryan Abreu at closer while Hader is sidelined.

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• Astros' Josh Hader: Officially placed on injured list

  Rotowire Mar 25, 2026

  The Astros placed Hader (biceps) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday. Hader resumed mound work in early March but has not made an appearance in a game since he was diagnosed with left biceps tendinitis in early February. The southpaw is sure to require a rehab assignment before rejoining Houston's active roster. Bryan Abreu will be the Astros' closer while Hader is sidelined.

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• Astros' Josh Hader: Will begin season on injured list

  Rotowire Mar 11, 2026

  Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Hader (biceps) will begin the season on the injured list, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Hader returned to the mound with a bullpen session Tuesday, which went well. However, he's simply going to run out of time when it comes to Opening Day. Espada did not offer a timetable for Hader's season debut, but it seems that the reliever's absence could be brief if he continues making strides in his recovery from left biceps inflammation. Bryan Abreu will open the season as Houston's closer.

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• Astros' Josh Hader: Pleased with bullpen session

  Rotowire Mar 10, 2026

  Hader (biceps) said that it was "all positives" during a 15-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Throwing from the mound for the first time since he developed left biceps inflammation prior to reporting to Astros camp, Hader was pleased with his velocity, the action on his pitches and his mechanics during the bullpen session. When asked about his potential availability for Opening Day, Hader didn't dismiss the possibility, saying only, "we'll see." The consensus is that a stint on the 15-day injured list to begin the season is likely, but it's possible Hader could change the Astros' minds if he looks good over the next couple weeks.

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• Astros' Josh Hader: Set for bullpen session Tuesday

  Rotowire Mar 9, 2026

  Hader (biceps) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Hader will take the mound for the first time since he developed left biceps inflammation prior to reporting to Astros camp. While he hasn't yet been officially ruled out for Opening Day, Hader is unlikely to avoid a stint on the injured list. Bryan Abreu appears to be in line to serve as the Astros' closer at the beginning of the season.

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• Astros' Josh Hader: Slated for mound work next week

  Rotowire Mar 5, 2026

  Hader (biceps) will throw a bullpen session early next week, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Hader developed left biceps inflammation before reporting to Astros camp and has been limited to flat-ground work since then. He also missed the final seven-plus weeks of last season with a left shoulder strain, so he hasn't pitched in a game setting since early August of last year. Hader is unlikely to have time to ramp up for Opening Day, setting up Bryan Abreu to serve as the Astros' early-season closer.

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• Astros' Josh Hader: Could throw off mound next week

  Rotowire Mar 3, 2026

  Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Hader (biceps) could throw a bullpen session next week, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. Hader has been limited to flat-ground work since he came down with left biceps inflammation just before the start of Astros camp. He is not expected to be ready for Opening Day, as Hader needs time to ramp things back up before being game-ready. Hader has not pitched in a game setting since early August of last year, as he missed the final seven-plus weeks of the season with a left shoulder strain. Bryan Abreu is lined up to serve as Houston's closer at the beginning of the season.

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• Astros' Josh Hader: Plays catch off mound

  Rotowire Feb 26, 2026

  Hader (biceps) played catch off the mound Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. Hader was just tossing the ball and not throwing a bullpen session, so while it's a step in his rehab progression, it's a minor one. Astros manager Joe Espada said Thursday that Hader is not yet scheduled for a bullpen session. It appears unlikely at this point that Hader will have time to ramp up for Opening Day, and if that's the case, Bryan Abreu would be in line to fill in as Houston's closer.

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• Astros' Josh Hader: Might not be ready for Opening Day

  Rotowire Feb 23, 2026

  Hader (biceps) could begin the season on the injured list, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. The Astros have not ruled Hader out for Opening Day as he works his way back from left biceps inflammation. However, the closer is not included in the team's roster projection by Rome, who writes that it's "difficult to envision" the Astros rushing Hader back for the opener. Hader is currently limited to playing light catch on flat ground and it's unclear when he'll be allowed to throw off a mound again. If Hader does need to miss time, Bryan Abreu would assume the closer role for the Astros.

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• Astros' Josh Hader: Plays catch Wednesday

  Rotowire Feb 18, 2026

  Hader (biceps) played catch out to 90 feet Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Hader is still in the early stages of his throwing program after he was briefly shut down earlier this month when he experienced inflammation in his left biceps. Prior to that, Hader missed the final month and a half of the 2025 season while recovering from a left shoulder strain, but he appeared to have a normal offseason before the biceps issue cropped up following his fourth bullpen session of the winter, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Hader still has a chance of completing his throwing program in advance of Opening Day, but if he suffers a setback or otherwise requires a brief stint on the injured list to begin the season, Bryan Abreu would likely rank as the top option for saves out of the Houston bullpen.

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• Astros' Josh Hader: Diagnosed with bicep inflammation

  Rotowire Feb 11, 2026

  Hader will resume a throwing program Wednesday after being shut down since early February with left bicep inflammation, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. It seems the left shoulder strain that sidelined Hader for the final seven-plus weeks of last season is behind him, but now he has a new injury to contend with. The veteran reliever will resume throwing Wednesday and ramp up slowly, and his status for Opening Day is up in the air. If Hader needs some time on the injured list, Bryan Abreu would step in as the Astros' closer.

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• Astros' Josh Hader: Expects normal offseason

  Rotowire Nov 25, 2025

  Hader (shoulder) stated Monday that he feels back at full strength after completing his rehab program a few weeks ago, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. Hader's 2025 season came to an early end after he was diagnosed with a left shoulder strain, but he's feeling strong after finishing up his rehab. The lefty noted Monday that he thinks he'll be able to throw as he normally would leading up to spring training. "It should be normal," said Hader. "Obviously, intensity gets up and we'll see how that goes and how I'm recovering, bouncing back from that. But as of now, everything is status quo, back to normal."

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• Astros' Josh Hader: Throwing off mound

  Rotowire Nov 12, 2025

  General manager Dana Brown said Wednesday that Hader (shoulder) has thrown off a mound three times, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Hader's season ended in mid-August after he suffered a left shoulder strain, but he appears to be progressing well in his rehab program. The Astros have yet to establish a return timeline for the lefty closer, however, so his availability for the start of spring training remains unknown.

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• Astros' Josh Hader: Yet to resume throwing

  Rotowire Sep 12, 2025

  Hader (shoulder) has yet to resume throwing, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Hader has yet to resume throwing since being shut down Aug. 15 due to a left shoulder capsule injury. The 31-year-old previously indicated that he'd need roughly three weeks to ramp up once cleared to throw. It's unclear when he'll start throwing at this point, but his postseason availability will be threatened if he doesn't begin soon.

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• Astros' Josh Hader: Won't throw for three weeks

  Rotowire Aug 15, 2025

  Hader has been diagnosed with a left shoulder capsule sprain and will not throw for approximately three weeks, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. After the three weeks of not throwing, the next steps will be determined in Hader's recovery. Hader received multiple medical opinions on his injured shoulder, and this is the current course of action. A return toward the end of the regular season seems like best-case scenario right now. Bryan Abreu picked up the save in Hader's absence Wednesday against the Red Sox.

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• Astros' Josh Hader: Getting second opinion on shoulder

  Rotowire Aug 13, 2025

  Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Hader will seek a second opinion on his left shoulder strain and will be sidelined "a little bit longer than the two weeks," Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Espada would not reveal what the first diagnosis was, but the injury is at least bad enough that Hader will not be back when his 15 days on the injured list are up. More information on Hader's condition and timeline should be available after he gets the second opinion. Espada has said he will not name a closer while Hader is out, but Bryan Abreu is the favorite to see most of the ninth-inning work for the Astros.

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• Astros' Josh Hader: Picks up sixth win

  Rotowire Aug 9, 2025

  Hader (6-2) allowed one unearned run on one walk and one hit across two innings to earn the win Friday against the Yankees. Hader entered the game with the score tied at 2-2 in the ninth inning. He pitched a clean opening frame and then managed to protect a three-run lead in the 10th inning, despite giving up a run-scoring single to the second batter he faced. Hader has now gone eight appearances without allowing an earned run, picking up three saves and a win in that span.

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• Astros' Josh Hader: Clean outing in non-save situation

  Rotowire Aug 6, 2025

  Hader walked one and struck out two across a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday against the Marlins. Hader hadn't appeared in a game since Friday, so he made an appearance despite Houston holding a four-run lead. He walked the second batter he faced but ran into little trouble and has now turned in seven consecutive scoreless appearances since the All-Star break.

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• Astros' Josh Hader: Nails down 28th save

  Rotowire Jul 29, 2025

  Hader picked up the save in Tuesday's 7-4 win over the Nationals, striking out the side in a perfect ninth inning. The All-Star southpaw dispatched the Nationals, with nine of his 13 pitches landing for strikes. The three strikeouts were Hader's most since May 28 versus the Athletics, and he's tallied multiple punchouts in seven of his last nine outings. For the season, he owns a 2.22 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 73:13 K:BB while converting 28 of his 29 save chances over 48.2 frames.

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