The Houston Astros saw their All-Star closer, Josh Hader, go down with what could be a season-ending injury. With a need in the bullpen, the Astros could scour the free agent market to find a replacement.
Available on the open market is former Astros reliever Ryan Pressly, who helped the team win the 2022 World Series and was a two-time All-Star in Houston. He could be an option to add to the bullpen. At least, he was.
According to Will Kunkel, a Houston-based reporter who hosts the Kickin' it with Kunkel podcast, the Astros have "no interest in bringing Ryan Pressly back to Houston, per sources."
The Houston Astros have no interest in bringing Ryan Pressly back to Houston, per source.
— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelV) August 15, 2025
With a need in the bullpen following the Hader injury, the Astros are reportedly not considering reuniting with Pressly. It'd be a fun storyline, but based on his play this season, passing might not be a bad idea.
Pressly, after being dealt to the Chicago Cubs before the season, struggled in his 44 appearances with the Cubs. He pitched 41.1 innings with the Cubs, and allowed 46 hits, 24 runs, 20 earned runs, six home runs, and 17 walks while striking out 28 batters.
He had a 4.35 ERA, a 2-3 record, and -0.6 WAR in the only season with negative WAR in his big league career. Across his 13 seasons in the Majors, his 2025 with the Cubs is the worst year he's had. His 89 ERA+ was the lowest of any year in his career.
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In one outing, Pressly allowed eight earned runs without recording an out on five hits and one walk, and one hit-by-pitch against the San Francisco Giants.
Before that disastrous outing, he had a strong 2.08 ERA in 13 innings pitched. In the 30 games after that disastrous outing, Pressly has a 2.86 ERA.
That one eight-run outing against the Giants has significantly boosted his season ERA totals. While his ERA might be a little more fluky, evident by his 4.84 FIP over the 30 games since his blowup outing, the former Astros closer might be worth a look.
But the Astros have no interest in reuniting with the 36-year-old Pressly. They traded him in the offseason and aren't planning to reunite with him despite the injury to Hader.
As Kunkel reports, the Astros are passing on Pressly, deciding to let the seven-year Houston veteran go elsewhere in free agency.
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