Josh Hader Gets Honest About Time With Padres, Not Going More Than 3 Outs

Sometimes closers have been asked to do more than the normal three-out saves, and oftentimes, guys will go for it. Normally, whatever needs to be done to help the team is worth doing, but Hader pushed back against it more than a few times, leading to some issues.

“When I was told to my face that (going multiple innings is) not worth anything, like, you got to get saves, that’s where I was like, I’m not gonna blow my arm out if you’re not gonna invest in me. So my investment back was, I’ll get you the inning, I’ll get you the saves, but you got to put a team and a bullpen around to do that.”

Hader apologized to the fans but acknowledged that he did what was best for his health. Fans won't want to hear that, but it's a fair assessment from the former closer.

“It hurts obviously for the fanbase, and it’s not something that I wanted to do to them. But at the same time, I have to take care of myself and make sure that I make it healthy out of that year.”

The Padres 2023 season was a disaster through and through, but Hader believes he gave it his all. He was very good for the team when he took the mound, but it wasn't enough to get the team into the postseason.

“At the end of the day, to the Padres fans, I gave it my all, but it sucks that the business had to put that sour taste in their mouth.”

Hader now heads off to Houston, and the Padres are moving on. It was probably for the best to split up, but his time in San Diego will always be remembered for his dominance, especially in the 2022 postseason.