Astros to make long-awaited roster move on 2.64 ERA All-Star reliever

The Houston Astros, over the last two seasons, have been one of the more injury-riddled teams in Major League Baseball. They've lost a lot of key players over the last year and a half, and some have missed most of the time since the start of the 2025 season.

One of the players who has been on the injured list the longest is a six-time all-Star reliever who's been out since the beginning of August 2025. But now, he's back.

According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, the Astros are finally welcoming back Josh Hader, their 2.63 ERA All-Star closer, after a lengthy stint on the injured list.

Astros to activate Josh Hader off IL

"Manager Joe Espada told the team's flagship radio station that Hader will be activated off the injured list before Tuesday's series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates," Rome writes.

This is some huge news for the Astros, as they're finally starting to get healthy. Jeremy Pena is back, Yordan Alvarez is still thriving, and the Astros look to be picking up some momentum.

Last season, he missed the final month-plus due to straining a capsule in his left shoulder. And over the offseason, he sustained a biceps injury, which has kept him out for the entire 2026 season up until June 2.

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Hader, the 32-year-old lefty reliever, is in the last few seasons of a huge five-year, $95 million contract he signed prior to the 2024 season.

He posted a 3.80 ERA in 2024, then had a 2.05 ERA in 48 appearances last season before he landed on the injured list and was out for the season in August.

Hader has not pitched in a big league game since August of 2025, and now, with June just getting underway, this long-awaited roster move will bring Hader back into the fold for the 27-34 Astros, who are just 5.0 games back of the AL West lead.

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