HOUSTON -- If the Astros are going to hold off the Mariners in the American League West , they’re probably going to have to do it without All-Star closer Josh Hader .

Hader, who is shut down from throwing for three weeks after being diagnosed with a left shoulder capsule sprain, said Saturday it would take him three more weeks to build up his arm strength, once he resumes throwing, to be ready to pitch in a Major League game.

Considering the regular season ends six weeks from Sunday, Hader likely wouldn’t return until the postseason, assuming there are no setbacks.

“That’s just the reality of it,” he said. “So you go in for three weeks, that takes you to about the first week of September. So now I still have to get back up, build strength on throwing for two weeks. Now I’ve got to

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