**BREAKING NEWS: ASTROS’ JOSH HADER UNDERGOES TESTING ON SHOULDER AS AL WEST LEAD HANGS IN THE BALANCE**
In a crucial turn of events, Astros’ star closer Josh Hader has been sidelined for testing on his shoulder following discomfort during a recent workout. The timing couldn’t be worse as Houston’s grip on the AL West lead is slipping away, with just a one-game margin over the surging Mariners.
Manager Joe Espada was forced to juggle his bullpen in a nail-biting 7-6 victory against the Boston Red Sox after Hader’s absence. The combination of Enyel De Los Santos and Bennett Sousa stepped up, with Sousa clinching his fifth career save. However, all eyes are on Hader’s test results as the team anxiously awaits news on his availability moving forward.
Hader, a key piece of the Astros’ pitching arsenal, has been instrumental this season with a stellar 2.05 ERA and an impressive strikeout-to-walk ratio. His potential absence due to injury adds to the mounting challenges for Houston, who are already grappling with injuries to several key players like Isaac Paredes, Yordan Alvarez, and Lance McCullers Jr. among others.
The Astros’ recent struggles can be partly attributed to their injury woes, with their lead in the AL West dwindling to just one game over the Mariners. The once comfortable five-game cushion has evaporated, putting pressure on the team to regroup and find ways to stay ahead in a fiercely competitive division.
In the event of Hader’s absence, Espada will likely turn to a committee of pitchers like Bryan Abreu and Bryan King to fill the void. The Astros face a crucial period ahead as they aim to weather the storm and maintain their position atop the AL West standings amidst mounting challenges. Stay tuned for further updates on Hader’s condition and the Astros’ quest to stay ahead in a tight division race.
