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21 articles
HOU • Pitcher • #52
9 days ago
Abreu entered the day with a 12.54 ERA, and his velocity in this one was about as bad as it’s been this season; he averaged 93.5 mph with this fastball, 1.6 mph off his season average and 3.8 mph less than his 2025 average. Still, he was more than a match for the punchless Red Sox. The one hit he gave up was an infield single that was originally ruled a double-error on Abreu; he failed to pick up Willson Contreras’s dribbler on the first try and then threw the ball past the first baseman to allow Contreras to take second. No matter, though, since Roman Anthony had a horrendous at-bat afterwards. The Astros still shouldn’t have much faith at all in Abreu. He only pitched in the tight situation today because everyone else was tired.
HOU • Pitcher • #52
30 days ago
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.
HOU • Pitcher • #52
about 1 month ago
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.
HOU • Pitcher • #52
about 1 month ago
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.
HOU • Pitcher • #52
about 1 month ago
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.
HOU • Pitcher • #52
about 1 month ago
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.
HOU • Pitcher • #52
about 1 month ago
“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.
Source: Houston Chronicle
HOU • Pitcher • #52
about 1 month ago
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.
HOU • Pitcher • #52
about 1 month ago
Not only did Abreu struggle with the punctuation coming on a three-run homer from Nolan Schanuel, but it came in a non-save situation, so fantasy managers get nothing but a hit to the ERA and WHIP. Abreu will remain the closer for Houston while Josh Hader (biceps) recovers, but it’ll take a few outings to make up for this one.
HOU • Pitcher • #52
4 months ago
Arbitration isn’t kind to setup men in general, but Abreu has been good enough for long enough that he’s at least getting paid about one-third of what he’s worth. The 28-year-old had a 2.28 ERA in 71 innings for the Astros last season. He’ll be a free agent after 2026.
Source: Brian McTaggert
HOU • Pitcher • #52
8 months ago
Abreu was summoned in the eighth inning to protect a two-run lead with a runner on and two outs. He issued a walk and gave up a base hit to bring a run in for the Rangers before getting out of the jam. Abreu then worked around two base hits in the ninth, striking out two batters to close out the game with his seventh save of the season to go with a 2.37 ERA and 103 strikeouts over 68 1/3 innings.
HOU • Pitcher • #52
8 months ago
A leadoff single was erased on a double-play ball, but another rally started with a walk and a single before Cody Freeman grounded out to end the game. In spite of all of the action, Abreu threw just 12 pitches, so he should be ready to work again Tuesday.
HOU • Pitcher • #52
8 months ago
Abreu avenged his blown save from Tuesday night to close out the Blue Jays here. He’s had a rocky two weeks allowing eight earned runs over his last four outings, but it’s clear the Astros are still relying on him to be their unquestioned closer.
HOU • Pitcher • #52
8 months ago
Abreu struck out two batters in the ballgame. He came on with a 3-1 lead to protect but got himself into trouble early by issuing a leadoff walk to Alejandro Kirk. After striking out Addison Barger, he allowed a single to Ernie Clement and then walked Davis Schneider to load the bases. Isiah Kiner-Falefa followed with a game-tying, two-run single. Abreu retired the next two hitters to escape further trouble, but the damage had already been done. Even with this rough outing though, the 28-year-old hurler still sports a strong 2.49 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and a 100/29 K/BB ratio over 65 innings. He remains the best bet for save chances in the Astros’ bullpen.
HOU • Pitcher • #52
8 months ago
It’s the second time this season Abreu has allowed three runs. Typically one of baseball’s best relievers, he gave up four hits for the first time and two walks for the third time. The hits were all singles that came consecutively with one out. The last of them, scoring the first and second runs, was a 330-foot fly to right that Cam Smith should have caught but struggled to get to while dealing with the wall. The walks came afterwards, with the second forcing in a run. That Abreu has worked three times in four days and threw 28 pitches tonight will probably make him unavailable on Sunday. A Craig Kimbrel seems unlikely but not impossible.
HOU • Pitcher • #52
9 months ago
Abreu got the call to close out the game for the second day in a row despite Houston’s addition of Craig Kimbrel. He took the mound with a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and tossed a clean frame, striking out one batter for his third save of the season to go with a 1.52 ERA across 59 1/3 innings.
HOU • Pitcher • #52
9 months ago
When Abreu is on like this, it’s scary for opposing hitters. He entered this game with the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth inning and struck out Colton Cowser with four straight sliders to end the threat. Then, he hit Coby Mayo to start the ninth and struck out the next three batters he faced. He forced eight swings-and-misses on 10 total swings and is asserting himself as one of the best closers in the league now that he has taken that role in Houston.
HOU • Pitcher • #52
9 months ago
The 28-year-old right-hander once again functioned in a traditional closer’s capacity, pitching in the bottom of the ninth inning in a tied game on the road. While he kept the Tigers at bay and got the game to the 10th, the Astros were unable to score a run to put him in line for a victory. Abreu has been terrific this season, registering a 1.58 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and an 84/25 K/BB ratio over 57 innings while securing one save and three victories.
HOU • Pitcher • #52
9 months ago
It’s Abreu’s 10th career save. He had five in 2023, but only one in the season and two-thirds since Hader was signed. He figures to be used primarily as a closer until Hader returns, and he’s worth rostering in all formats.
HOU • Pitcher • #52
11 months ago
The Astros wanted to stay away from Josh Hader today, so Abreu was going to close. However, he was needed with two outs in a tie game in the eighth. After striking out Trea Turner to end the rally, he was handed a 2-1 lead in the ninth. He then struck out Kyle Schwarber, Alec Bohm and Nick Castellanos in order, with all three going down swinging. One of the game’s best setup men, Abreu has 53 strikeouts and a 1.72 ERA in 36 2/3 innings this season.