Blue Jays: Is Osuna’s Velocity Dip a Concern: Optimist, Pessimist, Realist

Pessimist – Jason Lee

The thing that should be most concerning to Blue Jays fans is not Osuna’s implosion in the WBC. In fact, it’s not even Osuna’s velocity dip in recent spring training outings. The question that Blue Jays fans should be asking is harsh and pessimistic, but fairly reasonable under the given circumstances: Is Roberto Osuna injury prone?

June 2013 – Torn UCL (Tommy John Surgery)

May 2016 – Groin Injury

October 2016 – Shoulder Stretch/Fatigue

March 2017 – Neck Stiffness

Analyzing his career injuries and DL stints, Blue Jays fans can rest assured: Roberto Osuna is not injury prone, yet. The only real significant injury that Osuna has had in his young career is the torn UCL in 2013, leading to Tommy John surgery and its rigorous rehabilitation. In 2016, Roberto Osuna had his fair share of body aches and pains, but this can simply be attributed to the long grind of an MLB season, nothing that raises red flags.

However, Osuna’s velocity is still a situation worth monitoring considering the volatility of a young arm that’s undergone a major surgery. If Osuna’s velocity continues to sit in the 93-94 mph range at the beginning of the regular season, this could suggest an arm-related ailment that Osuna could be hiding from the Jays, or an issue that the Jays are hiding from the media, much like the Greg Holland situation in Kansas City a couple of years ago.

Another major surgery for Osuna could potentially derail his promising career and it wouldn’t be the first time that a young star failed to live up to the hype due to injuries. That being said, this is the utmost worst-case scenario for Osuna. As Roberto would probably say after reading this: “Osuna Matata – no worries, I’m just getting ready for Opening Day.”