Josh Hader’s shoulder injury hits the Houston Astros just as the Seattle Mariners are tightening the American League West title chase. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

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The first major industry of Josh Hader’s career has placed the Houston Astros in a precarious position.

Houston’s long-standing lead in the American League West is threatened not only by the loss of their star closer but also by the hard-charging Seattle Mariners – a team determined to win its first pennant.

Hader, sidelined with a capsule sprain in his left shoulder, has 28 saves and a 2.05 earned run average. He is averaging 13 strikeouts per nine innings and has a lifetime mark of 14.6.

Out For Season

An All-Star in six different seasons, including 2025, the hard-throwing left-hander has been placed on the Astros’ injured list and is not likely to return over the remaining six weeks of the season, according to manager Joe Espada.

Although he hopes to be back for the playoffs, that is not guaranteed either. When a similar injury sidelined Milwaukee starter Brandon Woodruff in 2024, he needed surgical repair that cost him more than a year on the IL.

Hader’s Houston teammate J.P. France also had capsule-tear surgery that kept him sidelined for some 12 months.

The star closer told Houston reporters that he won’t throw for three weeks but will determine then whether to shut down for the season or perhaps submit to surgery.

Hader, 31, is in the second season of a five-year, $95 million contract.

Title Race Tightens

Losing him now is a tough blow for the Astros, who seemed to be heading for their fifth straight American League West title before a recent tailspin – coupled with a Seattle surge – turned the divisional race into a toss-up.

Houston lost two of its best hitters when third baseman Alex Bregman skipped to Boston as a free agent and outfielder Kyle Tucker went to the Chicago Cubs in an off-season trade. Injuries also idled designated hitter Jordan Alvarez and pitchers Lance McCullers, Jr. and Ronel Blanco, among others.

In addition, free agent first baseman Christian Walker failed to hit after averaging 32 home runs a year with Arizona for three straight seasons.

Hader, a nine-year veteran who has also pitched for Milwaukee and San Diego, will probably be replaced by a committee, according to Astros manager Joe Espada.

Bryan Abreu already took the first opportunity for a save in the post-Hader world but lefties Bryan King, Bennett Sousa, and Steven Okert are also likely to figure into the mix & match situation.

Big September Series

Houston and Seattle will lock horns in a crucial three-game series at Daikin Park from Sept. 19-21. Hader is not likely to participate, however.

The lefty is 34-31 with 227 saves and a 2.64 career earned run average. He has topped 30 saves in five different seasons. He has a 1.64 post-season ERA but has never pitched in the World Series.

Hader broke into the majors with the 2017 Milwaukee Brewers.