Josh Hader's season could be in jeopardy. Composite Getty Image.
The Houston Astros have been no stranger to injuries in 2025, at one point the club had as many as 18 players on the injured list. And despite having that many setbacks, the Astros are still poised to make another deep postseason run.
However, the latest news from manager Joe Espada is going to provide another challenge for the team. Houston closer Josh Hader, who was placed on the 15-day IL on Tuesday, is going to miss more time than initially expected.
Espada spoke with the media on Wednesday afternoon and said Hader is seeking a second opinion on his strained shoulder.
Astros manager Joe Espada said Josh Hader is seeking a second opinion for his shoulder strain, but there’s no word on what the first opinion said.
“This is going to take a little bit longer than the two weeks,” he said.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) August 13, 2025
You don't have to be a doctor to know getting a second opinion usually involves the patient not being happy with the first opinion. While no information was conveyed about the results of the first examination, Espada told reporters Hader would be out longer than 15 days.
The problem with injuries this close to the end of the season is there's not a lot of time to get healthy and return to the field. And the Astros bullpen has been the strength of the club all season.
For now, the Astros turn to Bryan Abreu and a host of others to close out games, Houston GM Dana Brown said on the Astros flagship on Wednesday.
On the positive side of things, Yordan Alvarez is progressing with his hand injury. He will take live BP this weekend.
Yordan Alvarez will take live BP this weekend in West Palm Beach
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) August 13, 2025
Getting Yordan back could help soften the blow of losing Hader for the foreseeable future.
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José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
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