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Josh Hader Starts 2026 Injured; Abreu Steps Up

3/12/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Josh Hader will begin the 2026 season on the 15-day injured list with biceps tendinitis.
He will miss Opening Day against the Los Angeles Angels on March 26, 2026.
Astros manager Joe Espada said Hader's recovery timeline will extend past Opening Day.
Bryan Abreu is expected to take over closing duties.
Espada expressed confidence in Abreu to handle situations, noting Hader finished 2025 with a 2.05 ERA and 28 saves.

History

Historical Context

In 2015, Major League Baseball (MLB) saw a notable rise in player injuries, with the Chicago Cubs reporting a 30% increase in disabled list placements. This trend reflects ongoing challenges teams face in managing player health, as evidenced by Josh Hader starting the 2026 season on the injured list. Such injuries significantly impact team dynamics and performance throughout the season.

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Story summary

Josh Hader will begin the 2026 season on the 15-day injured list with biceps tendinitis.
He will miss Opening Day against the Los Angeles Angels on March 26, 2026.
Astros manager Joe Espada said Hader's recovery timeline will extend past Opening Day.
Bryan Abreu is expected to take over closing duties.
Espada expressed confidence in Abreu to handle situations, noting Hader finished 2025 with a 2.05 ERA and 28 saves.

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