Things may be progressing well for Astros closer Josh Hader, according to this update from Brian McTaggart:
While it should still be considered unlikely Hader would be ready Opening Day, this update does indicate that if Hader has to start the season on IL, he could potentially only miss the minimum required time.
Having Hader at the back of the pen with Bryan Abreu gives the Astros one of the best 1-2 punches to close out a game in baseball.
Meanwhile, SS Jeremy Pena is still getting some work in, despite his fractured finger, as shown here in another McTaggart update.
Pena is seen getting in grounders while not using his bare hand at all, flipping the ball with his glove to the coach during the drill.
Pena should be back as soon as his finger is healed, and the Astros have previously shown they will push a top player right back to the lineup in the past. If Pena misses Opening Day, he may not miss much more. At this point it seems like Pena could avoid the IL to start the season. Carlos Correa is scheduled to play SS until Pena returns, with Isaac Paredes playing 3B.
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