Why can’t we have nice things? OK, after a year’s absence, we did get a battle-ready Cristian Javier back. But along with all the other injuries, the Astros also announced that All-Star closer Josh Hader has been placed on the 15-day IL.
Next man up. Shawn Dubin returns, Colton Gordon returns, Hector Neris gets his 10-year pension as he is DFA’d today. Dubin was nails before his injury. If he comes back pitching as strongly as he left, it will mitigate the critical loss of Hader.
Here are the AL West standings.
Here is the Astros’ lineup.