Houston Astros face unexpected challenge with key arm

ASTROS UPDATE

Houston Astros face unexpected challenge with key arm
Josh Hader is having issues with his shoulder. Composite Getty Image.

Houston Astros’ All-Star closer Josh Hader was unavailable Monday night after experiencing shoulder discomfort.

Manager Joe Espada said after Houston’s 7-6 win over the Red Sox that the left-hander said “he just did not feel right” after a workout Monday and they sent him for testing.

“We’re waiting on those results and we should have something more tomorrow,” Espada said.

Espada didn’t specify which shoulder was bothering Hader.

Hader, who is in his second season in Houston, is 6-2 with a 2.05 ERA and is tied for third in the majors with 28 saves in 48 appearances this season.

Who can fill the void?

If Hader continues to miss time, should the Astros look outside the organization? Former Astros closer Ryan Pressly is available after being released by the Cubs.

It seems like every former Astros is reuniting with the team this year, maybe Pressly can capitalize on the good hometown vibes. However, there's a reason he's available. His ERA this season is 4.35. Which may not sound horrible, but he did surrender eight runs in his final 5 appearances with Chicago.

Injury updates

Manager Joe Espada gave an update on Hader before Tuesday's game.

MLB.com's Brian McTaggart shared some more injury updates in the post below.


Most Popular

The Angels beat the Astros, 3-0. Composite Getty Image.

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.

Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM