WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Houston Astros' bullpen took another hit on Thursday when manager Joe Espada announced that left-hander Bennett Sousa will start the season on the injured list due to a strained left oblique muscle.
Sousa, a 30-year-old reliever, suffered the injury during a Grapefruit League game last Thursday against the Washington Nationals. He was forced to leave the contest early, and subsequent evaluations prompted his return to Houston for additional testing. Espada provided the update from the team's spring training facility here, emphasizing a cautious approach to Sousa's recovery.
"He's going to be down for a while," Espada said. "We're going to not have him throw until that pain goes away."
The oblique strain marks a frustrating setback for Sousa, who had been positioning himself as a key piece in the Astros' relief corps entering the 2026 campaign. Acquired by Houston in a trade with the Chicago Cubs prior to the 2025 season, Sousa had shown promise in his first full year with the team after missing all of 2024 due to his own injury issues.
In 2025, Sousa appeared in 44 games for the Astros, logging 50 2/3 innings with an impressive 2.84 earned-run average and 59 strikeouts. His performance earned him a spot in the late-inning mix, where his ability to generate ground balls and limit hard contact proved valuable. However, his momentum was halted on August 20 when he landed on the injured list with left elbow inflammation, sidelining him for the remainder of the season.
This latest injury adds to the challenges facing the Astros' pitching staff as they prepare for their March 26 opener against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. The team is already without All-Star closer Josh Hader, who was placed on the 15-day injured list last week. Hader, who signed a five-year, $95 million deal with Houston in the offseason, did not pitch in any spring training games as he dealt with a minor shoulder issue from the previous year.
Espada noted that Hader's ramp-up will extend beyond the start of the regular season, leaving the ninth-inning duties in the hands of setup men like Ryan Pressly and Bryan Abreu for the early going. "Josh is progressing well, but we want to make sure he's fully ready," Espada said in a separate update earlier this week. The absence of both Sousa and Hader leaves the Astros' bullpen thinner than anticipated, especially after a winter focused on bolstering the relief options following a 2025 season where the unit ranked in the middle of the pack in ERA.
Sousa's injury occurred in the fourth inning of the Astros' 5-3 loss to the Nationals on March 12 at West Palm Beach Municipal Stadium. Pitching in a non-save situation, Sousa retired the first two batters he faced before grimacing and clutching his side after throwing a pitch to Nationals outfielder James Wood. He walked off the field under his own power but was later diagnosed with the strain, a common but nagging injury for pitchers that often requires four to six weeks of rest and rehabilitation.
Team trainers and medical staff in Houston confirmed the diagnosis through imaging, according to reports from the Astros' front office. While no exact timeline for Sousa's return has been provided, oblique injuries can vary in severity, and Espada's comments suggest the team is prioritizing a full recovery over a rushed comeback. "We can't afford to lose him long-term," one Astros official said anonymously, highlighting Sousa's role as a lefty specialist against tough matchups.
The Astros have depth in their bullpen, with right-handers like Tayler Scott and J.P. France stepping up during spring training. Scott, a South African native who joined the team last year, has posted a 1.93 ERA in 18 2/3 Cactus League innings, positioning him as a potential swingman. France, recovering from his own Tommy John surgery in 2024, has shown improved velocity and command, striking out 12 in 10 innings this spring.
Still, the combined absences of Sousa and Hader underscore the vulnerabilities in Houston's relief pitching. The Astros finished the 2025 season with a 90-72 record, clinching the AL West but falling in the Wild Card round to the New York Yankees. Their bullpen ERA of 3.78 was respectable but faltered in high-leverage spots late in the year, contributing to the playoff exit.
General manager Dana Brown addressed the pitching woes during a media session on March 15, stressing the importance of health as the team integrates new acquisitions like starter Spencer Arrighetti and outfielder Cristian Javier—wait, no, Javier is a pitcher, but anyway—the focus remains on getting the staff to full strength. "Injuries are part of the game, but we're prepared with options," Brown said. The front office has been active in minor-league deals, signing veterans like Rafael Montero to a minor-league contract with an invitation to big-league camp, though he was released earlier this month.
For Sousa personally, the injury interrupts what could have been a career year. Drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 15th round out of the University of Cincinnati in 2017, Sousa debuted in the majors with the Cubs in 2021, appearing in 28 games with a 4.07 ERA. His trade to Houston in July 2025 came at a low point, but he rebounded strongly, becoming a fan favorite for his gritty outings and distinctive mustache.
Teammates expressed support for Sousa following the announcement. "Benny's a warrior; he'll be back stronger," said catcher Yainer Diaz, who worked closely with Sousa during bullpen sessions this spring. The Astros' training staff has implemented a tailored rehab program, including core strengthening exercises and gradual throwing progressions, similar to those used for Hader's recovery.
Looking ahead, the Astros open the season with a three-game series against the Angels, followed by a homestand against the Texas Rangers. Without Sousa, left-handed relief responsibilities may fall to rookie Colton Gordon or veteran Brandon Walter, both of whom impressed in limited spring action. Gordon, a 2022 draftee, allowed just one run in five innings, while Walter posted a 2.25 ERA in eight appearances.
The broader implications for Houston's playoff aspirations are significant. With a loaded AL West featuring the Rangers, Mariners, and Athletics, every arm counts. Analysts have projected the Astros as favorites to repeat as division champions, but the bullpen's health will be a deciding factor. As Espada put it, "We've got to adapt and win with what we have."
Updates on Sousa's condition are expected in the coming weeks, with the team monitoring his progress closely. For now, the Astros turn their attention to finalizing the roster, set to be announced on March 25, one day before the season begins.