Former Blue Jays All-Star closer cut from Opening Day roster in NPB
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From 2015-18, Roberto Osuna was one of the best closers in the Majors with the Toronto Blue Jays.
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He never posted an ERA above 3.38 and earned his lone All-Star appearance in 2017, recording 39 saves with 83 strikeouts in 64 innings.
Things took a turn for the worse in 2018 when MLB suspended him 75 games for violating the league's domestic violence policy. A midseason trade sent him to the Houston Astros, ending his tenure in Toronto.
This past summer, former Astros general manager Jeff Lunhow, fired in 2020 for his role in Houston's sign-stealing scandal, stated that he regretted agreeing to the deal for Osuna because of his suspension for domestic violence.
Osuna is struggling in Japan
Osuna signed a contract with Nippon Professional Baseball's Chiba Lotte Marines in 2022 and has spent the past two seasons with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.
However, Gajin Baseball on X reports that the 31-year-old closer from Mexico was left off the Hawks' Opening Day roster for 2026.
"Currently one of the highest-paid players in NPB," the Japanese baseball dedicated account wrote on Wednesday. "He has not lived up to his billing since signing the contract, and was removed from the closer role during interleague. There are rumors that he may be cut."
Osuna posted a 4.15 ERA with just 16 strikeouts in 26 innings last year, and is not the same caliber of pitcher he was with the Blue Jays.
It appears he will start the season with the Hawks' farm club or will be released from the team.
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