Bryan

Abreu

Bryan Abreu probably could have handled this one just fine, but he was instead utilized in getting four outs in the seventh and eighth. De Los Santos then retired Brett Sullivan, Edouard Julien and Brenton Doyle with a two-run lead in the ninth. With Josh Hader hopefully three weeks or so away, none of the Astros’ ninth-inning alternatives seem worth rostering in shallow leagues at this point.

Bryan King had come into the game with two runners on and one out in the eighth inning. He allowed a run in on a hit before getting out of the jam with a one-run lead. King was given the opportunity to close out the ninth, but gave up two hits with two outs before he was pulled at 28 pitches. De Los Santos came in for the final out to record the save. Bryan Abreu had pitched in two of the last three days, totaling 50 pitches. He’ll likely get lower leverage work until he shows improvement. King is still the best bet for save chances at the moment, at least until either Abreu gets right or Hader returns from the injured list.

Abreu came in to pitch in the eighth inning in a game that the Astros were trailing 6-1, so this was the definition of a “get right” appearance. He did allow a hit and a walk, but any success is worth noting when you enter a game with a 20.25 ERA. Abreu has now worked in back-to-back games, so there’s a good chance he won’t be asked to work Monday if there’s a save situation.

Abreu has been awful to begin the 2026 season, and it just continued Saturday. He walked three, and while he did pick up a strikeout, he gave up a scorching line drive to J.P. Crawford with the bases loaded to take the loss. His ERA is now a reprehensible 20.25, and no matter how small the sample, it’s at least a smidgen concerning. Josh Hader isn’t far behind, and to say he doesn’t have to worry about his closer job being usurped is an understatement. Not now, anyway.

Troy Johnston singled in a run after the two walks. Abreu’s velocity remains down 1-1.5 mph from last year, but his lack of command seems like the bigger problem at this point. He’s allowed a run in all five of his appearances, and he’s far from assured of getting the ninth next time the Astros need a closer.

Hader has been on the shelf since spring training recovering from biceps tendinitis and is still in the early stages of his throwing progression. He figures to be cleared to start a minor league rehab assignment after a couple live batting practice sessions. There haven’t been a ton of save chances in Houston so far with Bryan Abreu and Bryan King seemingly in the driver’s seat until Hader is ready to return at some point next month.

Abreu was handed a one-run lead in the bottom of the 10th, and it was evaporated on a three-run blast by Brent Rooker that gave the A’s the win and Abreu the loss and blown save. It’s very early, but the 28-year-old has been atrocious to begin the year with an unseemly 23.63 ERA over the first 10 games. One has to wonder if Abreu will get the next save chance for Houston, or if they’ll try and get him right in a lower-leverage situation.

Pitching with a three-run lead, Abreu gave up the solo shot to start the inning but then struck out the remaining three batters he faced. His fastball was back up to 96.1 mph on average today, which is up 1.6 mph better than first two outings but still down 1.4 mph from last year. It’s a good sign, nevertheless.

“We spotted a few things and we’ll be able to get him back on track here for his next outing,” Espada told reporters on Monday. He also confirmed that Abreu isn’t dealing with any physical issues, which is an encouraging development. The 28-year-old high-leverage specialist, who is filling in for injured Astros closer Josh Hader (biceps), averaged just 93.2 mph on his fastball during Sunday’s outing against the Angels in a save situation after averaging 97.3 mph last year. He was ultimately pulled in favor of lefty Bryan King after issuing a pair of walks and recording only one out. It doesn’t sound like the Astros are overly concerned. King would be the clear stash for fantasy managers in the event that Abreu doesn’t turn things around.

After giving up three runs in a non-save situation on Saturday, Abreu came on with a two-run lead to protect on Sunday afternoon. He issued a leadoff walk to Adam Frazier before getting Zach Neto on a deep fly ball to left. He then walked Mike Trout to put the tying runs on base. That’s when manager Joe Espada pulled the plug and turned to left-hander Bryan King. It could just be a blip in the radar, but perhaps Abreu isn’t as secure in the ninth inning role as everyone assumed with Josh Hader sidelined.