The Houston Astros have gone the whole season without a solid closing option.
They have just announced the return of an elite one from injury.
Closer Josh Hader has been activated from the 60-day injured list and will be available for Tuesday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to SportsTalk 790’s Matt Thomas.
In a corresponding move, right-hander Logan VanWey has been optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land.
A 40-man roster decision will need to be made, but this can simply be achieved by transferring shortstop Carlos Correa to the 60-day IL after his season-ending surgery.
This is great news for a team that has struggled in the pitching department, especially the bullpen.
What Will Hader Bring to the Houston Astros?
The Baltimore Orioles selected Hader in the 19th round of the 2012 MLB Draft out of high school.
He would begin his career with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2017, and immediately became one of the best relievers in baseball.
While he wasn’t Milwaukee’s primary closer as a rookie, he was one of their best relievers, pitching to a 2.08 ERA. The next season, he would become one of the best closers in baseball.
He would play six seasons with the Brewers, going to four All-Star Games. In 2018, he would receive down-ballot Cy Young votes.
During the 2020 COVID-shortened season, Hader had a league-high 13 saves. In total, he would save 125 games in less than five seasons as the primary closer.
While he would struggle in 2022, he was subsequently traded to the San Diego Padres for a big return at the Trade Deadline.
He would pitch 2023 with the Padres, looking unhittable at times with a 1.28 ERA and 33 saves.
Hader would parlay this into a five-year, $95 million contract with Houston.
In two seasons with Houston (119 games), Hader has pitched to a 3.06 ERA with 62 saves. Late in 2025, he suffered a shoulder capsule strain.
This knocked him out for the rest of the season. Biceps tendinitis would knock him out for the first two months of the 2026 season.
Now, Hader appears to be ready to go for the Astros. But don’t expect him to regain his All-Star form right away.
In his rehab outings in Triple-A, Hader has averaged 93.9 mph on his sinker, well below his 2025 average of 95.5 mph.
How Will Hader Fit on the Team?
The Houston Astros have had major struggles with their pitching. As of Tuesday, they rank last in the American League in team ERA. They are just above the Colorado Rockies for second-worst in the majors with a 4.92 team ERA.
While much of this is due to injuries to starters and wild inconsistency, the bullpen has been awful as well.
With a bullpen ERA of 5.16, the worst in the majors, Houston will be relieved to have Hader back, even if he’s not fully himself.
Bryan King has the most saves on the roster currently with six. However, he has done this in nine save opportunities.
Hader will fit in as the natural closer for the Astros and could immediately improve what has been a horrible season for Houston.
Astros Make Josh Hader Announcement Prior to Pirates Game