The Houston Astros are wounded as their division lead slips.
Astros Facing Decision After Josh Hader News on Friday originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Houston Astros have won three straight series, but that hasn't staved off the Seattle Mariners. The latter club is 8-2 in its last 10 games and just 1.5 games behind the Astros for first place in the AL West with six weeks left in the regular season.
Meanwhile, Houston closer Josh Hader (shoulder) hasn't pitched since August 8. The team can't afford to lose the southpaw, who is one of its best relievers, for an extended period. He's tied for third in baseball with 28 saves, and is 6-2 with a 2.05 ERA and 0.85 WHIP in 48 appearances.
The Astros announced an update about Hader before Friday's bout with the Baltimore Orioles, via The Athletic's Chandler Rome.
"Josh Hader has 'left shoulder capsule sprain,' according to the Astros," he reported. "The team says he will not throw for 'approximately three weeks' and, after that, the next steps will be determined."
The team placed Hader on the 15-day IL on Tuesday. Setup man Bryan Abreu, who owns a 1.64 ERA with a team-high 25 holds, is next up on the closer depth chart. He has one save out of five opportunities this season.
Josh Hader has "left shoulder capsule sprain," according to the Astros. The team says he will not throw for "approximately three weeks" and, after that, the next steps will be determined.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) August 15, 2025
Astros Must Chart Their Path Without Josh Hader
While Houston has Abreu, southpaw Bryan King (21 holds, one save, 3.10 ERA), southpaw Bennet Sousa (seven holds, four saves, 2.57 ERA), and other capable relievers, it wouldn't hurt to look at the free-agent market and/or its farm system for extra help.
Right-hander Ryan Pressly (five saves, seven holds, 4.35 ERA) was released by the Chicago Cubs on August 1 and is available to sign. The 36-year-old was with the Astros from 2018-2024 and has a 3.33 career ERA with 117 saves out of 161 opportunities.
There's also southpaw Drew Smyly, who hasn't pitched this season after receiving a $2.5 million buyout from the Cubs in November. The veteran had a 3.84 ERA with 10 holds and no saves out of three opportunities last season.
Additionally, the Astros could call up pitching prospect Miguel Ullola from Triple-A Sugar Land, who's 5-4 with a 4.10 ERA across 21 minor-league games (18 starts) this season. The right-hander is ranked No. 5 on their prospect list, via MLB.com.
Ullola is a starting pitcher, but Houston could start him off in the bullpen at the big-league level, which would both ease him in and fill an immediate need.
Related: Joe Espada Gets Honest About Struggling First-Round Pick as Astros Face Decision
Related: Aaron Judge Had Strong Words After Yankees’ Loss to Astros
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Baseball
