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Houston Astros have received a timely boost amid their injury concerns, as closer Josh Hader edges closer to a return. Ahead of their upcoming clash against the Colorado Rockies, a significant update has emerged regarding the star reliever’s recovery progress.
Positive step in recovery
Hader, who has been sidelined due to left biceps tendinitis since before the start of the 2026 MLB season, recently marked a key milestone. The left-hander faced live hitters for the first time this week at Daikin Park, signaling tangible progress in his rehabilitation.
During the session, Hader threw 20 pitches against teammates, offering a clearer picture of his readiness. Reports indicate that his fastball velocity sat in the 91–93 mph range, a promising sign considering the time spent away from competitive action.
“Hader was sitting at 91-93 mph with his fastball,” McTaggart reported. “He said Tuesday’s session was akin to his first live BP outing of the spring, which puts him perhaps about a month away from returning, without any setbacks.”
Josh Hader shares encouraging update
The Houston Astros closer also expressed confidence in his current condition following the session. His remarks suggest that both his command and pitch quality are steadily improving as he builds toward a return.
“I’m feeling good, feeling strong,” Hader said. “I got through it throwing relatively hard and commanded the baseball in the zone, commanded the slider, getting good whiffs on it. Ideally, that’s what you want.”
With no reported setbacks, Josh Hader appears to be progressing on schedule, potentially setting up a return in the coming weeks.
Houston Astros continue to battle early struggles
Hader’s absence has been felt as the Astros navigate a difficult start to the season. The team currently sits fourth in the American League West with an 8-11 record, highlighting the need for reinforcements in their bullpen.
The closer acknowledged the emotional challenge of watching from the sidelines while the team struggles to find consistency.
“It’s tough to sit here and watch games and not be able to be part of it. Obviously the emotions are still there,” Josh Hader said. “But not being able to participate, it’s definitely a grind. But overall, I got work to do in the background. I feel like I’ve been doing that.”
Despite the early setbacks, Hader remains optimistic about Houston Astros’ outlook moving forward.
“I mean, obviously, you know, we haven’t been playing good baseball. We’ve been losing. We play 162 for a reason… There’s a long season ahead of us.”
As Houston prepares for its upcoming matchup, Hader’s steady recovery offers a crucial glimmer of hope for a team aiming to turn its season around.
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