Astros put Roberto Osuna on 45-day injured list

The Astros on Sunday transferred Roberto Osuna to the 45-day injured list, signaling the end of the closer’s 2020 season.

Osuna left the Astros’ Aug. 1 road game against the Angels after being called on to preserve a one-run ninth-inning lead. After his eighth pitch, he called trainers to the mound and did not attempt to throw again.

He went on the 10-day injured list and underwent an MRI in Houston. Manager Dusty Baker subsequently said Osuna’s injury “doesn’t look real good,” but the club has not disclosed anything other than “right elbow soreness.” He made four appearances this year after arriving late to summer camp and barely throwing off a mound before the season started July 24.

Osuna was a polarizing figure when the Astros acquired him from the Blue Jays in an August 2018 trade. At the time, he was serving a 75-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s  policy on domestic violence. In 2019, he saved an American League-best 38 games for the AL pennant winners.

While still a prospect, Osuna underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2013. Should he need any procedure that would sideline him for a majority of 2021, the Astros would be unlikely to tender him a contract offer after this season.