The Closer Question: Breaking Down the 2026 Astros Bullpen
Five games into the 2026 season, the Houston Astros bullpen is already the most pressing storyline in the organization, and it may stay that way for a while. Josh Hader, the anchor of the back end, is on the injured list with biceps tendinitis. General…
Astros Bullpen: Abreu at the Top, Questions All the Way Down
Bryan Abreu is one of the best relievers in baseball. What surrounds him is a different story. The Astros open the 2026 season without closer Josh Hader, who is on the injured list with a biceps issue, and without setup man Bennett Sousa, sidelined by a…
Are the 2026 Houston Astros Being Underrated?
The Houston Astros missed the playoffs last year for the first time since 2016, and the reaction from the pundit class has been swift and unsparing. Sports Illustrated’s stress index puts them in the “Aiming for October” tier—a polite…
Five or Six? The Astros’ Rotation Decision Has Real Consequences
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Joe Espada has been upfront about wanting to open the season with six starters. The math, however, is starting to complicate that preference. With Josh Hader beginning the year on the injured list, Bryan Abreu slides into the…
Astros Closer Josh Hader to Open 2026 Season on Injured List; Bryan Abreu Expected to Handle Ninth Inning
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Houston Astros manager Joe Espada confirmed Wednesday that closer Josh Hader will begin the 2026 season on the injured list as he continues recovering from biceps inflammation. In his absence, hard-throwing right-hander Bryan…
Astros Closer Josh Hader Begins Bullpen Work with Opening Day in Doubt
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Josh Hader threw his first bullpen session of the spring Tuesday, a modest but meaningful step in his recovery from biceps inflammation. Whether he’ll be ready when the Astros open the season March 26 against the Angels remains an…
Astros Closer Plan: Bryan Abreu Next if Josh Hader Misses Opening Day
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Josh Hader’s status for Opening Day grows more uncertain by the day, and the Houston Astros are quietly preparing contingency plans for a bullpen that looks very different without its All-Star closer. As of Saturday, Hader…
Astros Rally Late, Tie Nationals 3-3 in Spring Training
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Houston Astros scored twice in the seventh inning to erase a deficit but could not push across the winning run in a 3-3 tie with the Washington Nationals on Monday afternoon at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Houston’s late…
Astros Rally from 4-0 Down to Tie Nationals 4-4 in McCullers’ Spring Debut
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Houston Astros erased a four-run deficit Friday afternoon to earn a 4-4 tie with the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Lance McCullers Jr. made his spring debut, throwing a scoreless first inning before…
Astros Tender Contracts to All 11 Arbitration-Eligible Players
HOUSTON, TX – November 22, 2025 – The Houston Astros announced Friday they tendered contracts to all 11 of their arbitration-eligible players ahead of the 4:00 PM CT non-tender deadline, maintaining maximum roster flexibility while pursuing…