Roberto

Osuna

Osuna hasn’t appeared in the majors since the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign due to a partially-torn UCL in his right elbow, and was non-tendered by the Astros last offseason. He also served a 75-game suspension back in 2018 for violating the league’s domestic violence policy. The 27-year-old former closer signed in Japan last June and went on to compile a 0.91 ERA, 0.61 WHIP and 32/3 K/BB ratio across 29 2/3 innings (29 appearances).

Osuna hasn’t pitched since 2020 due to a partially torn UCL in his right elbow which he elected to rest and rehab. He’s just 27 and his track record speaks for itself, but Osuna obviously comes with plenty of baggage between his elbow issue and past domestic violence suspension.

Heyman adds that Osuna, who is attempting to pitch through a partially torn UCL, has been talking to teams this offseason. The 26-year-old righty elected free agency after passing through waivers unclaimed back in October. He was projected to earn roughly $10 million in salary arbitration before being ostensibly non-tendered by the Astros. He was limited to just four appearances during the truncated 2020 campaign due to a right elbow injury. It’s also necessary to remember that he was suspended 75 games for violating the league’s domestic violence policy back in 2018.

Osuna cleared outright waivers and will hit the open market after the Astros decided they didn’t want to pay him what he’ll command in his final year of arbitration eligibility. He is attempting to pitch through a partially torn UCL.

Kaplan notes that this is essentially an early non-tender, assuming Osuna clears waivers and elects to become a free agent, which is likely how it will play out. He was projected to command a 2021 salary of around $10 million through the arbitration process this winter. Osuna made only four appearances in 2020 before going down with a right elbow injury that at one point was believed to be leading toward Tommy John surgery. The 25-year-old is attempting the rest and rehab route instead and hopes to pitch at full health next season.

The right-hander has begun playing catch as he attempts to rehab his injury rather than undergoing Tommy John surgery. There’s a strong likelihood that he’ll still require the operation, but he’ll exhaust all other options first. It remains unlikely that he’ll pitch for the Astros again this season.

Mark Berman of FOX 26 in Houston reported last week that Osuna was headed for Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery, but the 25-year-old right-hander will first attempt to rehab the UCL injury in his pitching elbow. Whatever happens, he still seems like a probable non-tender candidate for the Astros over the offseason.

Osuna is expected to undergo Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery at some point soon and will be sidelined until late 2021 or early 2022. He’s a non-tender candidate this offseason.

This seemed to be what Astros manager Dusty Baker was indicating in a radio interview on Tuesday, but now we know for sure. Osuna will receive a second opinion before making a decision, but either way he’s going to be out for an extended period. With this shortened season, it’s safe to say he’s not going to pitch again this year. And given the timing of potential surgery, it could put his participation in the 2021 season at stake as well. We should have some clarity on his situation in the next couple of days, but for now, Ryan Pressly should see the bulk of the save chances for the Astros.

“Doesn’t look real good, actually,” explained Baker. “He went and had an MRI yesterday. He’s in our prayers and in our thoughts. The reality is it’s probably not really good news.” Osuna was pulled from an appearance on Saturday before landing on the injured list with right elbow soreness. Tommy John surgery or not, it appears he’s facing a lengthy absence. Ryan Pressly will likely be the fill-in closer, though he has had his own elbow issue of late. Blake Taylor would be the darkhorse here.