Abreu is expected to open the season as the Astros' closer while Josh Hader (biceps) recuperates, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hader is throwing off the mound again and might not miss much time, but manager Joe Espada ruled him out for Opening Day. Abreu has been one of the best relievers in baseball over the past four regular seasons, posting a 2.30 ERA and 34.3 percent strikeout rate. Hader will get his closer job back, if healthy, but he remains an injury risk, so it's not out of the question that Abreu's stint as closer lasts indefinitely.

Abreu could start the season as Houston's closer, with Josh Hader's (bicep) status unclear, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic.

EDGE Analysis

Hader has been limited to playing catch off flat ground thus far in spring, leaving his availability for Opening Day in doubt. If Hader does ultimately start the year on the IL, Abreu would be the clear choice to assume closing duties. The right-hander has been excellent as a setup man for the Astros, posting a combined 2.30 ERA over his last four seasons. Abreu logged 25 holds and a career-high seven saves in 2025.

Abreu signed a one-year, $5.85 million contract with the Astros on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Abreu was one of five relief pitchers in 2025 to record 100-plus strikeouts, doing so for a third consecutive season while boasting a 35.5 percent strikeout rate and 41.2 percent whiff rate. He finished the year with a 2.28 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 25 holds over 71 innings while also recorded a career-high seven saves, though that opportunity came only after Josh Hader (shoulder) landed on the IL in mid-August. With Hader on track to be fully healthy by Opening Day, Abreu should remain in his high-leverage role out of the Astros' bullpen in 2026.

Abreu earned the save Tuesday against the Rangers, allowing one unearned run on three hits and a walk while striking out two over 1.1 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Abreu was summoned in the eighth after Enyel De Los Santos surrendered three runs to slash Houston's cushion to two. The right-hander, who had allowed eight runs over his previous six appearances entering Tuesday, looked to be in danger of another rough outing as he gave up an RBI-single to Adolis Garcia following a walk to the first batter he faced. However, the 28-year-old managed to settle down, escape further damage and finish off the ninth to secure his seventh save of the season. The performance not only helped seal a much-needed win for Houston but also provided a confidence boost for Abreu in a critical stretch of the playoff push. He now owns a 2.37 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 103:31 K:BB across 68.1 innings on the year.

Abreu allowed two hits and a walk in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Monday's 6-3 win over the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Abreu erased his first mistake with a double play, then put two more runners on base before ending the game with another groundball out. He's allowed multiple baserunners in four of his last six appearances, allowing a total of eight runs over 5.2 innings in that span. Despite the recent struggles, he continues to serve as the fill-in closer while Josh Hader (shoulder) is out. Abreu has a 2.42 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 101:29 K:BB with six saves and 25 holds over 67 innings this season.

Abreu picked up the save Wednesday against Toronto, striking out one in a clean ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

One night after blowing a save against the Blue Jays, Abreu rebounded with his fifth save of the season Wednesday. The hard-throwing right-hander has fanned at least one in nine consecutive outings, and he remains in position to close out the regular season as Houston's stopper in the absence of closer Josh Hader (shoulder). Through 66 frames, Abreu has a 2.45 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 101:29 K:BB.

Abreu gave up two runs on two hits and two walks in the ninth inning Tuesday, getting charged with his fifth blown save of the season in a 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Blue Jays. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Called in to protect a 3-1 lead, Abreu loaded the bases on two walks and a single before serving up a two-run single to Isiah Kiner-Falefa with one out. It was the right-hander's first blown save in five chances since taking over the closer mantle from Josh Hader (shoulder) in early August, but it may only have been a matter of time before Abreu faltered -- he's been tagged for multiple runs in three of his last four appearances, bumping up his ERA on the season from 1.47 to 2.49.

Abreu notched the save Thursday against Colorado, allowing one hit and no walks in a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Abreu secured his fourth save of the year and extended his scoreless streak to 13 innings. With Josh Hader (shoulder) likely to be out until the playoffs, Abreu has established a fairly strong grip on Houston's closer gig. Abreu has a 1.47 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 93:25 K:BB over 61.1 innings.

Abreu earned the save in Saturday's 9-8 win over the Orioles, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

Abreu was called on to protect a one-run lead in the ninth and needed just nine pitches to notch his second save in as many days. The 28-year-old has now thrown 10 consecutive scoreless outings to start August, posting a 13:3 K:BB during that stretch. For the season, he owns a 1.52 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 89:25 K:BB across 59.1 innings while converting all three save chances since Josh Hader (shoulder) went on the injured list.

Abreu struck out four in 1.1 scoreless innings Friday to record his second save of the season in a 10-7 win over the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

Plunking Coby Mayo (hand) with a pitch was the only blemish on a dominant relief performance by Abreu. The right-hander hasn't given up a run in August, posting a 0.70 WHIP and 12:3 K:BB over 10 innings, and with Josh Hader (shoulder) likely out for the rest of the regular season, Abreu is locked into the closer role for the Astros.