Astros Closer Josh Hader to Begin Season on Injured List with Biceps Injury

The Houston Astros will start the 2026 MLB season without their six-time All-Star closer, Josh Hader, who is currently dealing with left biceps tendinitis. The team announced on Wednesday that while Hader is making progress in his recovery, he will not be ready in time for Opening Day.

At 31 years old, Hader was shut down early in spring training due to this injury. Although he successfully threw a bullpen session on Tuesday, the timeline set by the team indicates he will miss the start of the season. Astros manager Joe Espada confirmed that despite Hader’s positive session, the necessary recovery time will push him beyond the season’s opening.

This setback follows a challenging 2025 season for Hader, during which he missed two months due to a left shoulder injury. He finished last year with an impressive 2.05 ERA over 52 2/3 innings, marking his lowest innings total since his trade from the Milwaukee Brewers to the San Diego Padres in 2022.

Hader’s absence is a significant blow for the Astros, who narrowly missed the playoffs last year with an 87-75 record. This marked the first time since 2016 that the franchise failed to reach the postseason. When healthy, Hader is widely regarded as one of the premier closers in baseball, boasting a career ERA of 2.64 and an impressive 829 strikeouts across 512 1/3 innings pitched.

Throughout his career, Hader has been recognized for his exceptional talent, earning six All-Star selections and receiving down-ballot Cy Young votes in 2018. He also led the league in saves during the shortened 2020 season, recording 13 saves.

With Hader sidelined, the Astros will likely turn to veteran Bryan Abreu to step into the closer’s role until Hader is cleared to return. Abreu’s experience will be crucial as the team looks to navigate the early part of the season without their star closer.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.