Houston Astros closer Josh Hader is not expected to face hitters until “mid-April” in his recovery from a biceps injury, general manager Dana Brown said, indicating Hader will spend more than the minimal 15 days on the IL to begin the season.
Hader experienced biceps inflammation during a bullpen session before spring training that delayed his throwing in camp. He threw his first bullpen of camp March 10 as part of a gradual buildup. Houston placed Hader on the 15-day IL with “biceps tendinitis” to open the season.
“The goal is to get him to start facing some batters (in) mid-April,” Brown said on opening day Thursday. “He’s coming along nicely. He feels pretty good. He’s got to go through his ramp-up period.”
Hader could face hitters in a live batting practice setting multiple times before progressing to pitching in games. He would then likely require multiple rehab outings before potentially joining Houston’s bullpen.
Bryan Abreu projects to fill in as closer while Hader is sidelined. Hader missed the final six weeks of last season due to a capsule sprain in his left shoulder. The six-time All-Star is entering the third season of a five-year, $95 million deal signed with the Astros in January 2024.