Astros Activate Closer Hader for Season Debut, Correa Moved to 60-Day IL

The Houston Astros are set to activate closer Josh Hader ahead of their matchup with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Having been away from MLB action for almost ten months, the pitcher returns to bolster the team's bullpen. Hader was sidelined for the final two months of the previous season because of a left shoulder capsule strain.

Hader missed the last two months of last season with a left shoulder capsule strain. In early February this year, he was diagnosed with biceps tendinitis, delaying his spring training arrival by several weeks. The Astros took a cautious approach to his rehabilitation, and he completed nine minor league rehab games—first with Triple-A Sugar Land and then with Double-A Corpus Christi.

Today's roster moves also include: infielder Carlos Correa has been transferred to the 60-day injured list; outfielder Zach Cole has been recalled from Sugar Land; infielder Braden Shewmake has been placed on the 10-day IL with a right adductor strain; and right-handed pitcher Logan VanWey was optioned to Triple-A on Monday.

Before yesterday's game, the Astros had a bullpen ERA of 5.16, the worst in the majors, though their performance in May has clearly improved over April. The team initially used Bryan Abreu as the closer to start the season, but for most of the season, the closing duties were actually shared by left-hander Bryan King and right-hander Enyel De Los Santos. With Hader and Nate Pearson returning from the injured list, along with Alimber Santa being called up from Triple-A, the Astros' bullpen looks very different from how it started the season.

Hader recorded 28 saves for the Astros in 2025 and was selected to the All-Star Game for the sixth time. He felt discomfort in his left shoulder while training at Daikin Park last August and was subsequently placed on the 15-day injured list. He has not pitched since an outing against the Yankees on August 8. In June 2025, Hader posted a 4-1 record with a 1.98 ERA in 14 appearances, earning AL Reliever of the Month honors. During that stretch, he converted all nine save opportunities, allowing just six hits and one walk while striking out 22 batters, with a WHIP of 0.51, an opposing batting average of .128, and a strikeout rate of 14.49 per nine innings. He also converted 25 consecutive save opportunities to start the season, setting a franchise record.

Now 32 years old, Hader is a six-time All-Star and is in the third year of a five-year, $95 million contract with the Astros. He has 62 of his 227 career saves with Houston, ranking sixth among active pitchers.