A Colorado Rockies pitcher is taking some time away to tend to his mental health.
Rockies closer Daniel Bard was placed on the injured list ahead of the 2023 season. He revealed on Thursday that it was to due in part to his anxiety.
“It’s a hard thing to admit,” said Bard, per Danielle Allentuck of the Denver Gazette. “But I’ve been through this before. I have enough going on outside the game to realize what’s important … I’m extremely grateful to be in an organization that understands these things and is accepting.”
The 37-year-old Bard debuted for the Boston Red Sox in 2009 and spent five seasons with the organization before leaving the game for seven years (2013-20) to fight his personal battles. Bard returned for the 2020 campaign with the Rockies and posted a 3.65 ERA over 23 relief appearances that summer, winning National League Comeback Player of the Year along the way. He was even better last summer, posting an elite 1.79 ERA with 34 saves in 37 opportunities.
Bard saw work with Team USA at the World Baseball Classic earlier in March, but struggled mightily in his short time on the mound. He allowed eight earned runs in just 1.2 total innings pitched (over three appearances) during the WBC. Bard also threw the pitch that broke Jose Altuve’s right thumb, shelving Altuve for the first few months of the 2023 season.
Former first-round draft pick Bard had a great comeback story the first time around (which you can read more about here). Hopefully Bard take his time to get well.
Some combination of Dinelson Lamet, Pierce Johnson, and Brad Hand are projected to handle ninth-inning duties for the Rockies until the veteran reliever is ready to resume baseball activities.
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