Colorado Rockies’ Daniel Bard has been sidelined with anxiety to start the season after experiencing control issues with Team USA in the WBC
Colorado Rockies’ Daniel Bard will open the season on the injured list due to anxiety issues, as right-hander Jake Bird will take his place on the Opening Day list.
The 37-year-old was a member of Team USA in the just-completed World Baseball Classic, but control problems in a game against Venezuela included an infield for Jose Altuve who broke the hand of a Houston Astros second baseman.
“It’s hard to admit, but I’ve been through this before,” Bard told reporters via email. Denver Post.
“I am so grateful to be in an organization that understands and accepts these things.”
“From my experience, and knowing myself, I think just taking a step back, taking the time to work through things, and get it right, is the best approach,” Bard said at MLB.com.
Daniel Bard started the MLB season for the Rockies on the injured list due to mental health issues
“We all talked about it and agreed to take some time to make things right,” he said.
It was better than just trying to get his way. Knowing myself, I knew it was time to take a step back, so here is the approach.
Bard was a standout reliever for the Boston Red Sox early in his career, posting a 1.93 ERA in 73 games played during his second major league season in 2010.
But control issues surfaced and after two games in 2013, he walked away from the game.
The Rockies cast the Bard in spring training in 2020, and he made the roster. He returned to his standout ways last season when he had a 1.79 ERA in 57 games and finished 16th in National League MVP voting. He also won MLB Comeback Player of the Year. . .
But in Team USA’s fifth inning against Venezuela, Bard gave up one walk, threw a wild pitch, struck out Altuve and issued a power walk on the run. He ended up charging four runs with one hit and two walks, while not signing out.
Bard isn’t the first MLB player to take time away from the Diamond for mental health reasons.
Arguably most shockingly, Pete Harnisch quit to receive treatment for depression in 1997. Since then, there have been many others including Joey Votto, Justin Duschcherer, and Zack Grenk.
The Royals bowler missed most of the 2006 season and parts of 2005 due to depression and social anxiety. He came back in 2007 and has played since then.
Bard partnered with Team USA as they reached the final of the World Baseball Classic this month
Houston Astros star Jose Allotvi was hit by a cold pitch, fracturing his thumb
