NOT AGAIN!
Astros hit with another obstacle in high-stakes stretch run
Aug 13, 2025, 3:48 pm
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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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.