Astros Place Closer Josh Hader on 60-Day IL

Hader continues recovery from biceps injury, out until at least June

Apr. 18, 2026 at 3:13am

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A cubist, geometric painting in navy blue, orange, and white, breaking down the motion of a baseball pitcher into fragmented, overlapping planes, conceptually representing the challenge the Astros face in replacing their injured closer.The Astros will have to find creative ways to fill the void left by star closer Josh Hader's extended absence due to injury.Houston Today

The Houston Astros have placed star closer Josh Hader on the 60-day injured list as he continues to recover from a biceps injury. Hader, one of the best relievers in baseball, will be sidelined until at least June.

Why it matters

Hader's absence is a major blow to the Astros' bullpen and their chances of defending their World Series title. The team will have to rely on other relievers to fill the closer role until Hader can return to action.

The details

The Astros announced the move on Friday, placing Hader on the 60-day IL retroactive to April 13. The left-hander suffered the biceps injury during a recent outing and will need additional time to fully recover before rejoining the team.

  • Hader was placed on the 60-day IL on April 18, 2026.
  • The move was retroactive to April 13, 2026.

The players

Josh Hader

A star left-handed relief pitcher for the Houston Astros.

Houston Astros

The professional baseball team based in Houston, Texas that plays in Major League Baseball.

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What’s next

Hader will need to complete his recovery and rehab program before being eligible to return from the 60-day IL, which means he is expected to miss at least the first two months of the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Losing Hader for an extended period is a significant setback for the Astros, who will have to find ways to replace his dominant performances at the back end of their bullpen as they look to defend their World Series title.