The league is red-hot right now, with everyone chasing the playoff spot—but the Houston Astros’ playoff chase just got a whole lot messier. On Tuesday, the team announced that their All-Star closer, Josh Hader, has been placed on the injured list with a left shoulder strain. What’s sad is that this is his first IL trip in his nine-year career. And the timing could not be worse.

Houston is right now locked in a tight AL West race and battling to keep pace with the Boston Red Sox in the wild card standings. And manager Joe Espada didn’t hold back in saying that Hader’s non-presence has been a gut punch to the team. For now, though, he is undergoing more tests, and the Astros don’t really know the full extent of it. But extra tests are barely a good update, so fans are holding their breath.

For now, Espada has confirmed that Hader is looking for a second opinion on his shoulder. Moreover, he also mentioned that the timeframe is looking a little longer than two weeks. So the Astros might be without their $95 million closer for an extended time.

This news is a huge blow for the team, simply because of how stellar Josh Hader has been this season. He has posted a 2.05 ERA with 76 strikeouts and 20 saves. And in his most recent two-inning outing with the Yankees, he highlighted just how he is one of the best in the league, not the team. He didn’t allow a single run, escaped a jam with a runner in extra, and slammed the door in style. Now with Hader out, Abreu stepped into the ninth-inning role.

And Abreu has been good in his own right—with a 1.67 ERA and 79 strikeouts over 53 appearances. Still, losing a closer that’s proven his worth is not what anyone wants, and the timing is brutal, right? They are neck and neck with the Mariners, with Houston topping the AL West and Boston going 66-55, keeping their postseason dreams alive. For now, Boston is fresh off a 14-1 brutal win over Houston, and now the goal for the Astros should be to survive. They need to do it without Hader for a while and hope that his second opinion brings better news.

Alex Bregman was greeted with jeers and boos by Houston Astros fans

For the very first time since leaving the Houston Astros, Alex Bregman walked back into Minute Maid Park. This time, he was wearing the Boston Red Sox uniform. However, given that he gave nine years to Houston, two world titles, and All-Star nods too, it was no surprise how his welcome would be. Fans were thrilled, and he was welcomed with a warm video tribute on the Jumbotron and with a standing ovation. But that warmth only lasted for a while, because Bregman does what he does best, and things changed.

On Bregman’s first trip to the plate, he launched a two-homer deep into the night. And those cheers from his Houston fans turned to boos. But Bregman took it with a pinch of salt and a grin. Later on, he admitted, “It was great. I loved it. I loved it…was hoping they would. It’s two good teams getting after it. They want to win. Both teams want to win really badly. It’s fun. It’s good for the game.” 

On Monday, of course, the Astros had the final word, and they lit up Boston starter Garrett Crochet and reliever Jordan Hicks before settling on a 7-6 win. However, for Bregman, the moment mattered more than the score. “Every time you hit a homer in the big leagues, it’s pretty special. But to be able to do it first at-bat back here was pretty cool. Pretty cool moment I’ll never forget.”

Even in defeat, Bregman did praise his teammates, and he mentioned that now they have to win the next game, given that two games are still left. Do you think they will?