Houston Astros closer Josh Hader was placed on the 15-day IL retroactive to August 11 due to what has been diagnosed as a left shoulder capsule sprain. Initially, some were hopeful that he could return after the 15 days, but that will not be the case.
According to the lefty himself, he does not believe he will return before the regular season comes to an end, via Brian McTaggart. However, he is remaining hopeful that he can return during the postseason if Houston punches their ticket to October baseball.
"Josh Hader said it would take him three weeks to build up after not throwing for the next three weeks, so don't expect to see him in the regular season. Playoffs remain a possibility," said McTaggart.
Hader will take at least the next three weeks off from throwing, and then it will take him another three to get ramped back up. This is unfamiliar territory for the hard-throwing lefty. Throughout his career, this is the first time that he has landed on the IL outside of a bout with COVID during the 2021 season.
There is no denying that Houston will miss Hader while he tries to rehab from his shoulder injury. He has appeared in 48 games this season, compiling a 2.05 ERA with 28 saves, the fifth most this season.
In Hader's place, the Astros have turned to Bryan Abreu to close out games. He recently came in on Wednesday to get the save against the Boston Red Sox and help Houston take the series.