New Astros Closer Makes Spring Training Debut
Josh Hader made his Houston Astros spring training debut on Saturday, as he threw one inning of scoreless relief against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Hader entered in the fifth inning in relief of Rafael Montero, who pitched one inning after starter Cristian Javier in the Astros’ 7-1 victory.
Hader allowed one hit, which was a double by Jose Fermin. But he induced a lineout and two groundouts around that double to get out of the inning unscathed.
Hader consistently hit 94 mph on the radar gun with his fastball and hit 95 mph with one pitch.
Earlier in spring training, manager Joe Espada made the expected official by naming Hader as the team’s closer. He replaces Ryan Pressly, who remains on the roster. Espada met with both Hader and Pressly at the team’s facility in West Palm Beach, Fla., before announcing the decision to the media.
That moves Pressly into a set-up role and could give the Astros one of the best group of shut-down relievers in the game. In games where a save is needed, the Astros could send Bryan Abreu out for the seventh, Pressly for the eighth and Hader for the ninth.
That’s why the Astros signed Hader in late January after spending most of the offseason avoiding making major moves in free agency.
Hader, who was without question the best closer on the free agency market, did not get a quick deal as some expected. That played in the Astros’ hands, as they were able to sign him to a five-year, $95 million deal with no deferred money. In an odd twist, Hader returned to the organization he played for in the minor leagues before he was traded to Milwaukee.
Hader can claim $1 million if he wins either the Mariano Rivera or Trevor Hoffman awards, given to the best reliever in the game. He can claim $100,000 if he is named a World Series MVP. If he is named the League Championship Series MVP, wins a Gold Glove or is named an All-Star he can net a $75,000 bonus.
Hader turned into a bullpen star in 2018, when he became an All-Star for the first time as he went 6-1 with a 2.43 ERA and racked up 12 saves.
Since then, Hader has gone to four more All-Star Games, including in 2023, and has gone 20-21 with a 2.50 ERA and 165 saves.
