The Houston Astros made a splash last month when they reunited with three-time All-Star Carlos Correa. But the Astros didn't come away from the trade deadline with a new reliever.
Now they've lost their best one to the 15-day IL.
Six-time All-Star Josh Hader, who is currently tied for third in MLB with 28 saves, will have to recover from a left shoulder strain before he returns to the mound, where he's posted a 6-2 record and 2.05 ERA in 48 games this season.
The lefty closer reported shoulder discomfort ahead of Monday's game against the Boston Red Sox.
"It’s [a] punch in the gut,” Astros manager Joe Espada said, per The Associated Press. “But ... he’s seeing doctors right now. We’re getting more tests done and hopefully this is not going to be a long-term thing."
Hader recorded a season-high 36 pitches across two innings Friday in New York during a 5-3 win that was settled in the 10th frame. That marked his seventh multi-inning appearance of the season.
He also warmed up down the stretch of Sunday's series finale, but his number wasn't called while the Astros wrapped up a 7-1 win.
Hader is in the second year of his five-year, $95 million deal with Houston. He set a franchise record by starting the season 25 for 25 in save opportunities. Entering the week, he was tied for second among all AL relievers in strikeouts, according to MLB.com.
With Hader out, Espada isn't planning on naming a replacement closer. Instead he told reporters that he'll dispatch certain relievers from his bullpen in those situations depending on matchups.
“I feel good about all those guys,” Espada said.
It's a group that welcomed back right-handed reliever Shawn Dubin, who was reinstated from the 15-day IL Tuesday. The Astros also recalled lefty Colton Gordon from Triple-A Sugar Land.
After bouncing back from a 2-8 stretch that started on July 24 and ended on Aug. 3, the 67-52 Astros went into Tuesday night with a one-game lead over the Seattle Mariners in the AL West.
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