The Boston Red Sox are having an up-and-down year in 2024. They currently sit at .500 but fourth in the tough AL Central. Part of their struggles have been because of the injury bug. It is hard to win when so many players are heading to the injured list. Another pitcher is heading to the IL, but for a unique reason. Right-handed pitcher Chris Martin is heading to the 15-day IL because of anxiety.
Boston Red Sox RHP Chris Martin Headed To IL
Chris Martin told the Boston Red Sox about his anxiety over the weekend. The last time the 38-year-old veteran took the mound, he gave up four hits, including two home runs and three earned runs in only an inning of work. The move is retroactive to Sunday, and Martin hopes to focus on his mental health. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow applauded Martin for speaking up.
“With being respectful of the situation, he felt like it was manifesting in some physical ways that were keeping him from competing at the level that he’s used to in terms of fatigue and energy and recovery and sleep and some of those types of things.”
The baseball season is long and grueling. Players are on the field every day and traveling often. While physical health is heavily monitored, the mental toll this takes isn’t often considered. Breslow said they would work with Chris Martin, so he is ready to help the Boston Red Sox compete later in the year.
“We’ll make sure that it’s sufficient,” he said. “I think a couple of things that are important to get across, I think that we should applaud Chris’ willingness to speak up and confront this challenge head on. As an organization, we fully support that and have a bunch of resources here including the mental health program that’s intended to help players and staff address situations like this.”
Focus On Mental Health In Sports
There has been an increased awareness of mental health in sports. It isn’t just the Boston Red Sox that is dealing with this. We’ve seen other players in other sports speak out on the impact the season can have on the mind. Breslow again talked about how critical mental health is to sports.
“I do think that teams now are exhausting resources on building out mental health and behavioral health programs that are maybe a little bit different than the traditional mental skills sports psychology domains that teams had spent time with in the past. Mental health is a really, really important piece of not just athlete well-being but people well-being. It’s critical.”
The Boston Red Sox are thankfully being supportive of Chris Martin. While others may be critical, mental health is important. If taking two weeks off gets Martin in the right head space to pitch well, then the break is absolutely worth it.
About The Author
Matt Brown is one of the owners at Total Apex. He has been writing about sports and entertainment for over two years and currently works as a banker in Wisconsin. His passion for sports and entertainment knows no bounds, but football is the sport he follows most closely. However, he is never afraid to branch out, and you will see him talk about anything sports with anyone who will listen. Being a former Disney Store cast member, he will talk your ear off on anything Disney.
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