The Astros announced that closer Josh Hader has been diagnosed with a capsule sprain in his left shoulder. He won’t throw for three weeks, and next steps for the star left-hander will be determined at that time. Houston placed Hader on the 15-day injured list earlier this week, though manager Joe Espada had already acknowledged prior to today’s announcement that his closer would miss more than two weeks.
Hader’s IL placement was the first injury of his big league career — and it’s a significant one. The ’Stros haven’t said whether surgery will be a consideration, but capsule repair procedures tend to come with considerable layoffs. Brewers righty Brandon Woodruff recently missed more than a year due to surgery to repair a capsule tear. Hader’s teammate, J.P. France, underwent capsule surgery early last July and only began a minor league rehab assignment on July 21 — more than a year later. He still hasn’t returned to a big league mound. On the other side of the coin, Michael Conforto suffered a capsule tear with the Mets late in the 2017 season and was back in the field the following April. That, however, was in his non-throwing shoulder — and the rehab process for an outfielder versus a pitcher will vary with any arm injury.
Obviously, every injury is different. Diagnoses and treatment plans are handled on a case-by-case basis. It’s not clear yet whether the damage in Hader’s shoulder is as significant as it was for Woodruff, France or any of the numerous pitchers who’ve previously undergone capsule procedures — nor is it even clear whether Hader will require surgical intervention at all. The Astros haven’t said one way or another and probably won’t do so until that reevaluation at the three-week checkpoint. Regardless of whether surgery is deemed necessary, Hader seems ticketed for a notable absence.
Right-hander Bryan Abreu got the first save opportunity in Hader’s absence, though Espada has suggested that he’ll take a committee approach to the ninth inning and make his decisions based on matchups rather than set roles. Lefties Steven Okert, Bennett Sousa and Bryan King could all factor into the ninth inning as well, depending on where the Astros are in the opposing lineup.
Even if Hader manages to avoid surgery, losing him for three weeks — likely a bit longer, if he needs a rehab assignment — is a critical blow at a time when the American League West race has tightened considerably. Houston’s once formidable lead has largely evaporated. The red-hot Mariners recently won seven straight games and have picked up a victory in eight of their past ten contests. That, coupled with a recent 2-8 stretch for Houston, has pulled Seattle within a game and a half of first place.
Notably, the two teams still have a series against one another left on the schedule: a three-game set in Houston from Sept. 19-21. The Astros will obviously hope Hader can somehow be ready to contribute at that point, but that feels optimistic based on the initial diagnosis.
Hader is being paid $19MM in the second season of a five-year, $95MM contract. He’s been exceptional this year, saving 28 games and pitching to a pristine 2.05 ERA with a 36.9% strikeout rate and 7.6% walk rate in 52 2/3 innings.
I hope he doesn’t miss the rest of the year. Trashtros need it
But it might be in his long-term best interest to miss some time. I’m not a doctor, but a strain is still torn tissue, and it could become more pronounced if not allowed to fully heal. At his velo, there is a lot of stress on that shoulder!
@Cards Didn’t the dirty red birds hire a guy who illegally stole login info from the Astros and went to pound me in the a** prison for it?
Astros will be lucky if he pitches even one inning in the playoffs
most likely not, having his future in mind
They need to start hitting the ball like they know what’s coming.
They probably CAN know what pitch is coming!
Three weeks with the season heading towards the finish line, might be best to shut him down for the year. No need to risk rushing him back when he will be needed for next season. That’s just my two cents.
Given that the Astros lie constantly about the status of their injured players, always pretending they will be back when they know they won’t, it is very likely Hader won’t pitch again for a year.
Correct. A pitcher’s arm could fall off, and the FO would insist he’ll just be out the 15-day minimum. They use this tactic because they believe the rest of the league is just flat stupid and believes their every word as gospel.
Global mortality rate for shoulder capsule sprain is essentially zero—these injuries are non-fatal and do not appear in mortality statistics.
I’m relieved.
Obviously Comforto was not a pitcher with a shoulder injury to his pitching arm.
An outfielder, especially part-time mostly just has to soft toss toward the infield after an out or hit and only has to throw the ball hard on rare occasions of a runner trying to advance. Much more different than a pitcher throwing the ball hard on most every pitch. I wouldn’t be surprised if Hader can’t even toss a ball until some time next year and I hate it for him.
Houston, the capsule has a problem.
RIP Jim Lovell.
Science Friday replayed an interview with him from years ago, absolutely fascinating.
If this was before the trade deadline he could’ve been traded to the Cubs. Cubs genius POBO Jed Hoyer has no problem trading for pitchers with arm/shoulder problems.
I recall Hyun Jin-Ryu and Julio Urías both had this and came back fairly well, but those may have been slightly different shoulder capsule issues (and other issues for Julio).
Came back **After tears and surgeries to repair*
Houston, you have a problem!