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.’’

Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM
The Angels beat the Astros, 4-1. Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images.

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.

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome