Astros’ Josh Hader Faces Continued Injury Struggles — Is the Star Closer’s Season (and Future) in Doubt?
Houston Astros closer Josh Hader has been at the center of frustrating injury developments that now have fans and analysts alike wondering whether the elite reliever will be able to contribute meaningfully this season — and whether his contract will age as poorly as some of Houston’s past big-money free-agent deals if he can’t. (Climbing Tal’s Hill)
Hader, one of baseball’s most dominant closers over the past decade, has battled persistent arm troubles dating back to August 2025, when he was placed on the injured list with a left shoulder capsule strain that ultimately ended his regular season prematurely. That injury kept him out of action for the final 46 games of that campaign and was a major factor in the Astros missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016. (Wikipedia)
Heading into the 2026 season, hopes were that Hader would return fully healthy. However, recent reporting suggests that his recovery has hit another snag. Spring training updates indicate Hader has been dealing with biceps tendinitis and related soreness, which has kept him from throwing normally and puts his Opening Day status in serious doubt. (WDUZ-AF)
Astros manager Joe Espada confirmed that Hader has experienced arm soreness during winter workouts and that imaging revealed inflammation — although he noted the issue is not believed to be directly related to last year’s shoulder injury. Still, Houston’s general manager Dana Brown acknowledged that they can’t yet pinpoint whether he’ll be ready when the regular season starts. (WDUZ-AF)
The most recent team injury reports also list Hader as out through early April, with an estimated return date around April 10 — though such projections remain tentative as the closer continues his rehabilitation progression. (ESPN.com)
For the Astros, the stakes are high. Hader signed a multiyear deal worth roughly $95 million — one of the richest ever for a reliever — and was expected to anchor Houston’s bullpen for years to come. (El Fildeo) When the contract was signed, many observers saw it as a bold move to bolster an already strong pitching staff. But with Hader’s sustained absence, questions are mounting about whether that investment will pay off or instead become a payroll albatross similar to past Houston contracts that never delivered their intended value. (Climbing Tal’s Hill)
Astros TV voice Todd Kalas recently called Hader’s absence a “devastating blow” to Houston’s competitive outlook, underscoring just how integral the closer is to the team’s success. (nationaltoday.com)
Despite the uncertain start to 2026 and ongoing soreness, there’s no official word that doctors have declared Hader’s season over. As of now, the door remains open for a midseason return once the arm issues subside, and the team is hopeful that continued rehab — rather than surgery — will allow him to pitch at some point this year. (WDUZ-AF) Yet with Opening Day looming and no firm timeline from club doctors, Astros supporters can only wait and hope that the left-handed flamethrower isn’t sidelined long enough to question whether this once-sure bet will turn into another costly misstep for Houston’s payroll.
