The Houston Astros are facing a challenging stretch as their grip on the American League West narrows, with the Seattle Mariners just 1.5 games behind heading into a pivotal three-game series against the Detroit Tigers. Amidst this tight race, the team’s pitching health remains a concern, highlighted by the ongoing Josh Hader Astros rehab update, which shows the closer is not yet ready to return.
Astros Starters Slowly Return to Action Through Triple-A Rehab
The Astros have recently seen progress from several injured starters who have been making rehabilitation appearances at Triple-A Sugar Land. Pitchers J.P. France, Luis Garcia, and Lance McCullers Jr. have all begun to rebuild their workloads in the minors as Houston contends with multiple injuries among their rotation.
France, 30, has spent the entire season on the 60-day injured list recovering from a shoulder injury first sustained in 2024. Before his absence, he contributed effectively in 2023, pitching 136.1 innings at a 3.83 ERA. Since last pitching in the major leagues on April 23, 2023, he has made a cautious return, pitching two rehab starts in lower minors and three starts at Triple-A. In 9.2 innings pitched in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, France has given up nine runs. His latest outing, on August 14, featured four innings with three runs allowed, along with four walks and seven strikeouts.
Luis Garcia, another key right-handed starter, remains on the comeback trail after undergoing elbow surgery. The 28-year-old has not made a major league appearance since 2023 but has steadily increased his workload. After several rehab appearances and starts at lower minor levels, Garcia reached Triple-A, where he has impressed in three starts, delivering 11.1 innings with a 3.18 ERA and tallying 15 strikeouts against only three walks. His most recent start was his longest, as he pitched 4.2 innings, yielding one run with six strikeouts.
General Manager Dana Brown recently shared on Sports Talk 790 that Garcia is scheduled for one more rehab outing before returning to the Astros, although a teammate is expected back sooner.
Lance McCullers Jr., 31, has struggled significantly in recent seasons due to injuries. After missing all of 2024 following elbow surgery, McCullers returned in 2025 but encountered a foot injury and a blister that have slowed his progress. He pitched five innings allowing one run and striking out five during his latest rehab start on August 15 at Triple-A. McCullers is under pressure to confirm he can regain his All-Star form, as his struggles this year include a concerning 6.90 ERA and nearly six walks per nine innings over 11 starts. Houston will face tough decisions if he cannot combine health with effective pitching.
Josh Hader’s Rehab Progress Remains Uncertain
Unlike the starters making tentative progress, closer Josh Hader’s recovery is still at an early and uncertain stage. Currently sidelined by a shoulder injury for the second time this season, Hader is not expected to return during the regular season. According to Houston‘s latest update, the closer
is rehabbing in Houston, but will not throw for a period of three weeks.
The Astros hope to have Hader available for the postseason, but his cautious approach centers on being fully ready rather than rushing back prematurely. Speaking about his rehab, Hader emphasized the need for a careful approach:
I mean, we have to approach this with caution, right? One, because if I’m in a game, it’s 100-percent effort… yeah it’s definitely doable,
he said.
Hader has been a dominant force when healthy. This season, before the injury, he maintained a remarkable 13 strikeouts per nine innings, posted a 2.05 ERA, and recorded 28 saves over 52.2 innings pitched. Given his value and the Astros’ investment in him, they are likely taking extra precautions to protect his long-term effectiveness.
Implications for Houston’s Playoff Hopes Amid Pitching Injuries
Although Josh Hader’s absence remains a significant setback, the potential returns of J.P. France, Luis Garcia, and Lance McCullers Jr. could provide crucial pitching depth as the Astros aim to protect their narrow lead in the American League West. Houston’s rotation has been riddled with injuries to key arms like Cristian Javier, Spencer Arrighetti, and Brandon Walter, forcing the team to rely heavily on health-challenged pitchers and unproven depth.
If these rehab starts at Triple-A lead to confirmed returns, Houston’s pitching staff will strengthen considerably for the stretch run and postseason push. However, the uncertainty around Hader’s timeline emphasizes the fine line the Astros walk between aggressive comeback attempts and the risk of further injury.
As Houston prepares for the important series against Detroit, the health of their pitching staff remains the focal point. With each rehab appearance closely monitored, the club’s ability to keep their spot atop the standings depends largely on the balance between cautious recovery and timely returns from key pitchers.