WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. \u2014 Houston Astros closer Josh Hader will begin the season on the injured list, manager Joe Espada said on Wednesday, making official something that\u2019s felt inevitable since the beginning of spring training.<\/p>\n
Hader reported to camp behind schedule after feeling soreness in his bicep during an offseason bullpen session. Hader has not had any setbacks since arriving in camp, but his slow buildup, coupled with a shrinking calendar, made it impossible to be ready for Opening Day on March 26.<\/p>\n
Espada did not want to speculate on the length of Hader\u2019s stint on the injured list, but reiterated that Hader continues to throw pain-free and is progressing well. Hader threw his first bullpen session of spring training on Tuesday \u2014 a 15-pitch outing after which Espada said Hader felt \u201cpretty good.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think today how he came in and how he felt yesterday throwing is a good indication that we\u2019re going in the right direction,\u201d Espada said on Wednesday. \u201cThat\u2019s all we are looking for right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hader, who is entering the third season of a five-year, $95 million contract, missed the final 46 games of last season with a capsule strain in his left shoulder. Earlier in camp, Hader said this new injury is independent<\/a> of the shoulder ailment that ended his 2025 season.<\/p>\n Before that shoulder injury, Hader had never been on the injured list during his major-league career. Upon signing with the Astros in 2024, Hader softened his previously strict stance of only pitching one inning per outing, citing the \u201ccommitment\u201d the Astros made to him. His contract is the most lucrative free-agent deal given during Jim Crane\u2019s ownership tenure.<\/p>\n