Hader (left shoulder capsule sprain) won't throw for 3 weeks

HOUSTON -- All-Star closer Josh Hader will be shut down from throwing for three weeks after being diagnosed with a left shoulder capsule sprain, the Astros announced Friday. Hader will alternate between rest and strengthening exercises in the meantime with hopes of returning before the end of the season.

“In terms of him coming back, we just have to go through this rehab process,” Astros general manager Dana Brown said. “Josh is optimistic, so we'll see what happens."

Hader, who saved 28 games for the Astros this year and made his sixth All-Star team, landed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, a day after he reported some shoulder discomfort while working out at Daikin Park. Hader threw a season-high 36 pitches in two innings against the Yankees on Aug. 8 in New York and warmed up toward the end of Sunday’s win, but he didn’t get into the game. It was his seventh multi-inning appearance of the season.

“I think with any of these guys in today’s game, this is a buildup over time,” Brown said. "You're looking at a staff, particularly our staff, that’s been pitching a lot because of eight straight years of playing in the postseason. Hader pitched a lot in the postseason [in his career]. This isn’t something that just shows up one day and he has some soreness. It’s years of throwing. It’s what the industry’s dealing with right now.”

Hader is expected to address reporters Saturday, but Brown said he’s handling the news well.

“He’s mentally tough,” he said. “The makeup’s pretty special. He’ll get through it for sure.”

The Astros used Bennett Sousa for four outs and setup man Bryan Abreu for three outs to close out Wednesday’s win over the Red Sox. Astros manager Joe Espada hasn’t anointed a new closer, but Sousa and Abreu are the likeliest options.

“We feel confident in the interim,” Brown said. “Our bullpen’s been good this year. Abreu’s throwing the ball well, and Sousa is throwing it well. [Steven] Okert’s been good and [Kaleb] Ort has been good of late. We have guys who have thrown the ball well and we feel really good about the back end.”

The Astros also have had two starters -- Spencer Arrighetti and Cristian Javier -- come off the injured list in the last two weeks, and three others -- Luis Garcia, J.P. France and Lance McCullers Jr. -- are nearing the end of their rehabs at Triple-A Sugar Land. Once one or more of those starters return, the Astros could move a couple of starters to the bullpen.

“Some of these guys have pitched out of the ‘pen before, so I think that’s a big part of it,” Brown said. “I think if we put any of these guys in the ‘pen, we’re going to have to protect them in a way we feel necessary to continue to be competitive with this group. We have had some discussions and we’re going to have a lot of discussions because we have a lot of decisions to make.”

Hader was named American League Reliever of the Month for June by going 4-1 with a 1.98 ERA. He converted all nine of his save opportunities in 14 appearances, allowing six hits with a walk, 22 strikeouts, a 0.51 WHIP, a .128 opponents’ average and 14.49 strikeouts per nine innings. He converted his first 25 save chances this year, setting a club record.