Ryan Pressly ‘surprised’ by Joe Espada’s decision to name Josh Hader as Astros’ closer for 2024.
It was anticipated that veteran left-handed reliever Josh Hader, who signed a five-year, $95 million contract with the Houston
Astros earlier this offseason, would serve as the team’s closer beginning in 2024. After all, Hader is a superb reliever who, since
2019, has played closer for two different clubs. In fact, Hader will start the season as the Astros’ primary beneficiary of save
opportunities, as first-year Astros manager Joe Espada stated on Wednesday.
Ryan Pressly, the incumbent closer, appeared surprised by the news when Espada informed him of the job change. Pressly stated,
“Yeah, it was a surprise, but he makes our team better,” as reported by the Associated Press. “He’s easily one of the top relievers in
the game. I’m glad he’s here, and I’m thrilled to share the bullpen with him. It’s going to be a good time.
He seems like an excellent colleague.”
Surprise, however, is not the same as frustration or opposition, and Pressly, of course, appears to be ready to take on whatever
duty is assigned to him: “We got a great bullpen, probably one of the best bullpens in the league,” he stated. “I am paid to get
three outs whether it is the fourth or ninth inning. “Whenever the phone rings and they tell me to get in there, I will.”
Pressly, 35, has been Houston’s primary closer since the 2020 season was cut short due to COVID. During that time, he
maintained a 2.99 ERA, 249 strikeouts in 198 ⅔ innings, and saved 102 out of 118 regular-season opportunities.
Pressly has made 14 saves in the postseason. He is now positioned to become Hader’s primary right-handed setup man.
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