While it was nice to watch their team spray champagne all over the place after a dramatic walk-off win in the A.L. Wild Card game Tuesday night, Toronto Blue Jays fans have to be at least slightly concerned about the status of their closer going forward.
Blue Jays reliever Roberto Osuna, who had 36 saves in the regular season, abruptly exited the game after getting the first out in the 10th. He had retired the side in order the previous inning, but Osuna says he felt a “stretch” in his throwing shoulder after that.
“I threw the 2-1 pitch to (Chris) Davis, a fastball away, I felt a bit of a stretch in my shoulder, in the front part, and I went with the fastball up and in and I felt it a little bit (more), and I was like I’ve got to be out,” the 21-year-old said after the game, via Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca. “I don’t want to miss the next series, so that’s why I told Gibby take me out and I’ll be fine for Friday.”
Game 1 of the ALDS is Thursday, which means the Blue Jays won’t have their closer for the first game of the series, assuming Osuna didn’t misspeak.
“The doctor told me I’m fine,” he added. “I just need a couple days off, but I’ll be good by Friday. He said, ‘It’s nothing big, you’re going to be fine in a couple of days.’ Hopefully I’ll be good for Friday.”
Again, the Blue Jays have to be at least somewhat concerned. Even if Osuna isn’t dealing with a serious injury, a minor ailment could prove to be a big deal in a five-game series — especially for a guy who is supposed to get the most crucial outs at the most crucial point in a game.
Of course, everyone in the Toronto locker room was flying high after Edwin Encarnacion hit a monstrous walk-off homer to end the game. Hopefully Osuna’s shoulder heals as quickly as the Blue Jays’ hangovers dissipate.
