Osuna agreed to a contract with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan on Friday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.
Osuna has been pitching in the Mexican League the past two seasons but has now decided to continue his career in Japan. He last pitched in the majors in 2020, making four appearances with the Astros.
Osuna (elbow) passed through outright waivers Friday and elected free agency rather than accept an assignment to Triple-A, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Osuna is undoubtedly a talented pitcher, posting a 2.74 ERA and saving 155 games through six big-league seasons. Multiple factors make him a less than appealing option, however, including his 2018 domestic violence suspension and the elbow issues that limited him to just 4.1 innings this past year. While he avoided surgery and has resumed throwing, injury concerns will presumably still affect his value on the open market.
Osuna (elbow) was placed on outright waivers by the Astros on Thursday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.
Osuna was expected to make somewhere in the region of $10 million in arbitration this offseason. Elbow issues limited the righty to just 4.1 innings this season, though he's seemingly avoided Tommy John surgery despite previous indications the procedure would be required. Between the elbow worries and Osuna's 2018 domestic violence suspension, the Astros evidently were uninterested in bringing the young righty back at that price. Those factors will likely also reduce his interest if he winds up on the open market, though some team will presumably want a 25-year-old with a 2.74 career ERA and 155 saves.
General manager James Click said Saturday that Osuna (elbow) recently resumed throwing, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
The Astros were hopeful in early August that Osuna could return to the mound later in the season, but there haven't been many updates regarding his recovery process. While it's encouraging that he's throwing again, it's unlikely that he'll be able to return in 2020. Ryan Pressly should continue to serve as the closer for the Astros this year.
Astros' Roberto Osuna: Hoping to return later this season
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The Astros are hoping Osuna (elbow) can return later this season after rehabbing, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.
Osuna has been sidelined all month with an elbow injury. It was originally thought that the right-hander would require Tommy John surgery, but it sounds like he's going to attempt to rehab his elbow after receiving a second opinion. He's still shut down from throwing. Ryan Pressly should continue to serve as Houston's closer in the meantime.
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Astros' Roberto Osuna: Transferred to 45-day IL
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Osuna (elbow) was transferred to the 45-day injured list Sunday.
The move is simply procedural as Osuna likely requires Tommy John surgery to repair an elbow issue that surfaced at the beginning of August. Left-hander Brooks Raley was acquired from the Reds in a corresponding move. Ryan Pressly should continue to serve as the Astros' closer for the foreseeable future.
Astros' Roberto Osuna: Likely needs Tommy John surgery
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Osuna's (elbow) initial diagnosis is that he needs Tommy John surgery, Mark Berman of Fox 26 reports. He is getting a second opinion.
Things seemed to be trending in this direction for Osuna, given some quotes earlier in the day from manager Dusty Baker. Even if he does not undergo the procedure in the imminent future, he won't be pitching in games for the Astros anytime soon, so he is a cut in most redraft leagues. Ryan Pressly is the strong favorite to become the Astros' closer going forward. He has the upside to finish the season as a top-10 closer if he holds the role. If Osuna were to get Tommy John surgery soon, he would not be a lock to return during the 2021 season, especially since he previously required the procedure as an 18-year-old.
Astros manager Dusty Baker said, "The reality is it's probably not really good news," when asked about Osuna's elbow injury Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Osuna underwent an MRI on Monday after leaving Saturday's game against the Angels with what was first called "right arm discomfort" and then "right elbow soreness." Baker's response seemingly indicates that a more serious diagnosis is coming soon, though it's not yet clear what exactly that will be. Ryan Pressly is the primary candidate to close in Osuna's absence.
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Astros' Roberto Osuna: Heads to IL
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The Astros placed Osuna on the 10-day injured list Sunday with right elbow soreness, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
The Houston closer will go on the shelf one day after exiting early in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Angels with the injury. Cy Sneed came on to replace Osuna in that contest and blew the save opportunity, but Ryan Pressly -- who returned from an elbow issue Saturday and pitched earlier in the contest -- likely profiles as the top candidate to close while Osuna is sidelined. The Astros sent Osuna in for an MRI prior to placing him on the IL, but the team has yet to offer a timetable for his return.
Osuna was removed from Saturday's game against the Angels with an apparent injury, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
The 25-year-old entered the game to start the ninth inning with a 4-3 lead, and he exited after giving up a one-out infield single to Luis Rengifo, who eventually came around to score. The specifics of the situation remain unclear, but it's a troublesome sign for the Astros given the numerous injuries the pitching staff is already contending with.
