Houston Astros Injury Tracker
Houston Astros closer Josh Hader has faced a setback this spring with left biceps tendinitis, delaying his buildup and forcing him to start the 2026 season on the injured list.
What Caused the Setback?
Hader initially felt discomfort during a bullpen session while throwing a changeup.
The irritation persisted with repeated throwing, and imaging confirmed inflammation of the biceps tendon.
As symptoms increased with intensity, he was shut down for about 10 days to allow inflammation to settle before restarting his throwing program.
Current Rehab and Progression
His rehab has followed a typical pitcher progression:
- Initial rest and anti-inflammatory recovery phase
- Gradual return to flat-ground throwing
- Progression to bullpen sessions (currently ~85–87 mph)
- Next step: live hitters and game simulation
Encouragingly, Hader has reported no significant pain after recent bullpen sessions, and the Astros believe he is trending in the right direction.
Return-to-Play Timeline
Because he is behind schedule and not yet facing hitters, Hader will miss Opening Day.
A realistic timeline:
- Early April: bullpen progression and live hitters
- Mid-April: rehab appearances
- Mid-to-late April return window
Medical Takeaway
Biceps tendinitis in pitchers often reflects shoulder workload imbalance, especially following a prior shoulder injury. The biggest risk is returning too quickly before full velocity and endurance are restored.
For Houston athletes, this highlights an important lesson: early shoulder and arm symptoms should be addressed before progressing into more significant injury.
Dr Javier Rios MD is Houston’s Nonsurgical Orthopedic and Sports MD.
