Astros' Josh Hader Named Closer After $95M Contract; Ryan Pressly to Setup Role | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Aria Murphy
Published Mar 24, 2026
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada officially named the newly-signed Josh Hader his closer for the 2024 season on Wednesday, according to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN).
Hader, who signed a five-year, $95 million deal with the Astros last month, takes over the role from Ryan Pressly, who is being moved to a setup role for the upcoming campaign.
"They've both been successful. I feel more comfortable giving Hader that opportunity since he's shown his ability to do it," Espada said. "Same as Pressly. It's just Pressly won't pitch the ninth inning. ... I don't want to put words in Pressly's mouth, but everything I got from him was that he's on board."
Hader added that he spoke with Pressly around the time he signed his contract and that the two have a strong relationship.
"The goal is to build that relationship and win ballgames," Hader said. "A lot of things can get stirred up on the outside and paint a picture that's not it. But for him and I, we've had a great relationship so far and [we] continue to build off that.''
He added: "Ultimately, in the game of baseball, roles are very important. We have routines. When you're able to get in that routine and knowing what you have to accomplish, you can perform better because you know what you have to do.''
Hader began his career with the Milwaukee Brewers and was traded to the San Diego Padres during the 2022 campaign.
The 29-year-old has developed a reputation as perhaps the best closer in baseball, earning five All-Star selections and three Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year awards across his seven-year career.
Hader enters the 2024 season coming off one of the most impressive campaigns of his career in 2023. He posted 33 saves, a 1.28 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 85 strikeouts in 56.1 innings across 61 games.
Pressly, meanwhile, has spent the last five and a half seasons in Houston. He had a solid 2023 season, but could perform better as a setup man.
The 35-year-old posted a 3.58 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 74 strikeouts in 65.1 innings across 65 games. He also posted 31 saves.
Houston has one of the best bullpens in baseball entering the 2024 season. Beyond Hader and Pressly, the Astros boast a unit that includes Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero and Kendall Graveman.
