Astros' Brown: Hader signing 'fractured' relationship with Pressly

Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown said Tuesday that the club's signing of Josh Hader in 2024 "fractured" his relationship with Ryan Pressly, per The Athletic's Chandler Rome.

The Astros signed Hader to a five-year, $95-million contract ahead of the 2024 campaign. The move bumped Pressly to a setup role despite recording 90 saves over the previous three seasons.

At the time of the signing, Brown said Pressly was "all-in" on adding the All-Star closer to the bullpen.

However, the GM changed his tune Tuesday, saying that his relationship with Pressly "took a different turn" after Hader's addition.

The Astros traded Pressly to the Chicago Cubs for pitching prospect Juan Bello on Monday.

Houston is projected to enter the season with a bullpen that includes Hader, Bryan Abreu, Tayler Scott, Bryan King, Kaleb Ort, Forrest Whitley, and Shawn Dubin.