ESPN Insider Speculates Closer For Seattle Mariners Rival Might Not Return in 2025
In this story:
The Seattle Mariners are in the middle of a final playoff push, and are currently duking it out for the top spot in the American League West. And one of the most important players on the Houston Astros roster might not be available for the rest of the season.
The Astros six-time All-Star closer Josh Hader was placed on the 15-day injured list Aug. 12 (retroactive to Aug. 11) due to a left shoulder strain.
The left-handed reliever is currently undergoing more tests to determine the severity of the strain. In a recent episode of the "Refuse to Lose" podcast, hosted by Mariners on SI's own Brady Farkas, ESPN insider Buster Olney discussed the possibility of Hader returning this season.
"A shoulder strain could have a wide range of outcomes," Olney said on the podcast. "But generally speaking, given the calendar, it's probably likely he's not gonna pitch much more in 2025. According to the reports coming out of Houston, he's undergoing more tests and they're gonna determine the severity of the shoulder strain. But at this time of year, when a pitcher gets shut down in the way that he is, you're talking weeks to ramp up that pitcher again."
Houston had an off-day Thursday and entered the day with a one-game lead over Seattle in the American League West.
Hader is one of the best closers in baseball and has been nearly perfect in save situations this year. He's posted a 2.05 ERA this season with 76 strikeouts in 52.2 innings pitched across 48 appearances. He has 28 saves in 29 opportunities.
Josh Hader, White Castle Special. 🤮🍔🍔🍔 pic.twitter.com/vcmwlcp2nn
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 25, 2025
The Mariners and Astros will play each other in a three-game series from Sept. 19-21 at Daikin Park in Houston.
Related Stories on Seattle Mariners
JULIO RODRIGUEZ DISPLAYS INCREDIBLE ACT OF KINDNESS: The Seattle Mariners franchise superstar helped rebuild the home for a person affected by a natural disaster in the Dominican Republic. CLICK HERE
ANALYSIS: HOW WOULD MUNETAKA MURAKAMI FIT WITH MARINERS IN 2026: The Mariners were named the best fit for corner infielder Munetaka Murakami by Jon Heyman. CLICK HERE
MARINERS PITCHER BRYCE MILLER HAS SOLID THIRD START ON REHAB ASSIGNMENT: The third-year Mariners starter had his third rehab outing with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers on Wednesday. CLICK HERE
Follow Seattle Mariners on SI on social media
Continue to follow our Inside the Mariners coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following Teren Kowatsch and Brady Farkas on "X" @Teren_Kowatsch and @RefuseToLosePod. You can subscribe to the "Refuse to Lose" podcast by clicking HERE.
