Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna reveals struggles with anxiety off the field
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna says that ongoing issues with anxiety kept him out of Friday’s 5-4 loss to the Kansas City Royals.
Osuna spoke through a team translator on Saturday before Toronto’s second game of a three-game series in Kansas City. He wasn’t available to play the previous night despite the Blue Jays holding a 4-1 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth. The Royals scored three runs against Toronto relievers Ryan Tepera, Aaron Loup and Jason Grilli to rally for the win.
“This has nothing to do with me being on the field, I feel great out there,” said Osuna, brim of his ballcap pulled down over his eyes as he spoke to reporters. “It’s just when I’m out of baseball, when I’m not on the field, that I feel weird and a little bit lost.”
He was asked if he’d ever felt this way before and, circumventing the translator he replied: “Never.”