IT'S OFFICIAL!

Astros spring bombshell: Manager Joe Espada reveals major news

Astros Joe Espada
Josh Hader will close games for Houston, not Ryan Pressly. Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images.

Newly signed Josh Hader will close for the Astros and incumbent Ryan Pressly will move into a setup role, new manager Joe Espada said as Houston started spring training workouts Wednesday.

Hader, a five-time All-Star, agreed Jan. 22 to a $95 million, five-year contract. The left-hander, who turns 30 on April 7, displaced Pressly, a 35-year-old right-hander who had 102 saves for the Astros in the last four seasons.

Espada said he met with Hader and Pressly in his office to inform them of his decision.

“It went well,’’ Espada said. “Both guys want what’s best for this team. I think the ultimate goal is to hold the trophy at the end of the year.’’

Hader returned to the Astros organization after spending two years in their minor league system from mid-2013 through mid-2015.

“They’ve both been successful. I feel more comfortable giving Hader that opportunity since he’s shown his ability to do it," Espada said. “Same as Pressly. It’s just Pressly won’t pitch the ninth inning. ... I don’t want to put words in Pressly’s mouth but everything I got from him was that he’s on board.”

Hader said he spoke with Pressly, a two-time All-Star, around the time of his agreement.

“The goal is to build that relationship and win ballgames," he said. "A lot of things can get stirred up on the outside and paint a picture that’s not it. But for him and I, we’ve had a great relationship so far and (we) continue to build off that.’’

“Ultimately, in the game of baseball, roles are very important,’’ Hader added. “We have routines. When you’re able to get in that routine and knowing what you have to accomplish, you can perform better because you know what you have to do.’’

Houston's bullpen also includes 26-year-old right-hander Bryan Abreu.

“The back three is solid,’’ Hader said. “But even the guys that fill the spots in the front part of it are just important as the back three. I think we have guys who can fill that role just fine and put us in the spot to win games and bridge the gap to the back end.’’

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The Astros beat the Blue Jays, 3-1. Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images.

Christian Walker homered in a three-run second, Ryan Gusto pitched well into the sixth and the Houston Astros beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 on Wednesday night to sweep the three-game series.

Walker led off the second with a home run to left off Bowden Francis (2-3), Yainer Diaz tripled and scored on Zach Dezenzo's RBI single and Yordan Alvarez capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly.

Gusto (3-1) allowed one run on three hits with six strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. Gusto has allowed three runs or fewer in each of his three starts this season.

Bryan King pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings, and Bryan Abreu threw a scoreless eighth.

George Springer walked, and Ernie Clement doubled with one out in the ninth, but Josh Hader struck out Alejandro Kirk and induced a flyout by Myles Straw for his seventh save.

Houston has won five of its last six.

Springer hit an RBI double in the fourth for the Blue Jays. They have lost five straight games.

Francis surrendered three runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. He has allowed three runs or fewer in four of his five starts.

Key moment

Hader striking out Kirk and getting Straw to flyout to center to end it.

Key stat

The Astros swept the Blue Jays for the first time since they swept a four-game series in Houston on May 14-17, 2015.

Final Thoughts

Julia Morales caught up with Walker after the game.

Up next

Houston starts a three-game series Friday at Kansas City, with RHP Hayden Wesneski (1-1, 3.91 ERA) starting the opener. Toronto RHP José Berríos (1-1, 5.02) starts Friday night in the opener of a three-game series at the Yankees.

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