Daniel Bard, a closing pitcher for Major League Baseball team the Colorado Rockies, has been placed on the injured list to start the season for mental health reasons, according to a March 30 news report from ESPN.
Mr. Bard was placed on the 15-day injury list on Opening Day March 30, citing anxiety issues.
"From my experience, knowing myself, I think just taking a step back, taking time to work through things, get it right, is the best approach," Mr. Bard told reporters on Opening Day, according to the report.
The move comes in the wake of mental health awareness expansion across the league, with fellow MLB team the Kansas City Royals appointing its first on-field mental health director March 26.