Pittsburgh (93.7 The Fan) - Not playing baseball for nearly four months was bad enough, but sitting in a Pittsburgh hotel room for several days while his Pirates teammates were going through summer camp at PNC Park was excrutiating for Jose Osuna.
Through no fault of his own, Osuna was unable to practice because the results of his COVID-19 test on Friday weren't available until Tuesday, the fifth day of workouts.
"It was really hard," Osuna said after Wednesday's workout. "I was in the hotel for five days doing nothing. My mind was ready to begin practice on Saturday and no later than Sunday. I was getting crazy in the hotel. Okay, wait, wait, wait, wait. Every morning I woke up at 6:30 and checked my phone and nothing yet, nothing yet. I'm good now. I'm happy to be here. It's where I want to be."
Osuna played first base, third base and the outfield in 2019. He said he's already worked at first and third this week.
"We'll see where I have to play tomorrow," Osuna said. "I put my mind to be ready to play wherever they need me. it doesn't matter if it's in the outfield or first base or third base, I have to be ready."
With the designated hitter in use for National League teams for all 60 games, Osuna knows that's another possibility for playing time.
"I think that will be more of a chance to play. That's good for me, and that's good for another of my teammates."
As a pinch-hitter last season, Osuna batted .345 and led MLB with five home runs. Coming off the bench was something new, and it took an adjustment.
"You have to change your mind. You have to change your routine. Last year, Melky Cabrera helped me a lot. He told me 'this is your job right now. You have to change your mind. You're not playing every day, so change your mind and change your routine and be ready for every situation'."
Osuna also made two mound appearances in blow out losses last season, sporting a very respectable 3.86 ERA. The Pirates would greatly prefer that he not have to pitch in 2020.