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Astros' Josh Hader sets record straight on pitching restrictions, closer role
Jan 31, 2024, 12:08 pm
Hader goes on the record about pitching restrictions. Composite Getty Image.
After the Houston Astros signed Josh Hader to a 5-year $95 million contract, several questions started surfacing about how he will be used on his new club.
He and Ryan Pressly have said all the right things regarding who will pitch the 9th inning. It seems both players just want to win and appear okay with however manager Joe Espada plans to deploy them.
Hader shed even more light on his usage when he joined MLB Network this week. When asked about his pitching restrictions, Hader said the arbitration system is why he chose to “protect” himself and only pitch one inning per outing.
“The arbitration system told me the traditional role of a closer is where the value is [with] relievers… I was told to my face what you’re doing is not worth it. So at the end of the day I had to protect myself, because if I don’t, the team isn’t going to protect me for the long term.”
Hader also went on to say the “playoffs are a different beast,” so workload wasn't something he was concerned about in the postseason, “it's all hands on deck.”
Now that we got that out of the way, be sure to watch the video above as Hader talks in-depth about joining the Houston Astros and the one thing missing from his resume, a World Series title.
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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.