Taylor Buchholz Out for Foreseeable Future with Depression and Anxiety

by Chris McShane on Jul 1, 2011 5:05 PM EDT

If you were wondering what was going on with Taylor Buchholz, he's sidelined indefinitely with depression and anxiety. Neither condition is a laughing matter, and here's hoping Buchholz gets better as soon as possible. As Aaron Gleeman points out on Hardball Talk, Zack Greinke has dealt with similar issues. And Ted Berg pointed out how the whole "he can't make it in New York" thing isn't fair for players who go through this kind of thing.

Prior to hitting the disabled list, Buchholz was outstanding out of the Mets' bullpen, sporting 9.00 K/9, 2.42 BB/9, and a tidy 3.33 xFIP. As far as setup men go, I'd be more comfortable with him on the mound in a close game in the seventh or eighth inning than Jason Isringhausen or Bobby Parnell.

The bullpen hasn't been a glaring weakness this year, but the sooner Buchholz gets better, the better the bullpen will be down the stretch. Adam Rubin has a quote from Buchholz:

“Last season with the Rockies, I experienced some depression and anxiety before returning from Tommy John surgery,” Buchholz said in a statement. “I thought I had it under control, but recently, at the end of May of this year, the depression and anxiety began to resurface. After consulting with my doctor, I agreed to try different medications and it was recommended that I not pitch while I adjusted to the new medications. I am in regular contact with the Mets and have kept them informed of my progress. I am extremely grateful for the way the Mets have cared for me and my family.”

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Here's to a speedy recovery

why couldn’t this happen to the Acostalypse ?

One day, this team is going to kill me.

by fxcarden on Jul 1, 2011 5:18 PM EDT reply actions

i don't think it's exactly fair to wish such conditions on anybody

even if the target is some useless “reliever”

by clip on Jul 1, 2011 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions

yes, because

I was obviously being serious.

One day, this team is going to kill me.

by fxcarden on Jul 1, 2011 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions

But what if we were talking about Schoeneweis?

"You can spend minutes, hours, days weeks or even months overanalyzing a situation; trying to put the pieces together, justifying what would’ve, could’ve happened – or you can just leave the pieces on the floor and move the **** on."
-Tupac Amaru Shakur

by NetsMets4Life on Jul 1, 2011 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions

but we're not

and that was a horrible tragedy in every way imaginable

One day, this team is going to kill me.

by fxcarden on Jul 1, 2011 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Damn

I was just beginning to wonder when he would be back too. Good luck to Taylor and I hope to see you back soon

by NYMetsJets44 on Jul 1, 2011 5:23 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Same. Sorry to hear that.

I was wondering what was up with that shoulder problem and when he’d be back. I like him in that BP earlier this year.

by MetsFan4Decades on Jul 1, 2011 5:26 PM EDT reply actions

Good luck to Taylor in his fight.

Anxiety and depression are both tough to overcome. I really hope for his sake, he goes through some psychotherapy instead of just treating it with medication. Anti-depressants for depression are like taking Advil for a headache. It just masks the symptoms and once it wears off, you’re still anxious and depressed.

I’m pulling for you, Taylor. Hope you can get through this smoothly and feel better soon.

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by Steve Schreiber on Jul 1, 2011 5:27 PM EDT reply actions

this

Way back when I was 14 and living in Madrid, my dad was depressed (exile is a bitch) and tried to kill himself by attempting to jump in front of a subway train. Were it not for the lightning fast reflex of a stranger and the assistance of a cop, my dad would have been a goner. He was treated with Valium for months, and became a zombie, until one day I took it upon myself to bring him to a place where he got real help and he made it thru. Years later, living in the US, another bout of depression put him in the hospital with all the other crazies but this time, he willed himself to health. His best quote ever to me: " I want to go home tomorrow – these guys are crazy – make it happen ", which I did.

One day, this team is going to kill me.

by fxcarden on Jul 1, 2011 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs

Rec

In lobby for: Jaime Cevallos, Zack Lutz, orange unis and Rickroll as the 7th inning song.
The Unwritten Rules of AA

by Michkin on Jul 1, 2011 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Sounds like he is doing both

and that he’s taking the time to find more effective medication than what he has been taking. I’m not an expert, but it sounds like he’ll be fine. The most important thing needed to deal with a problem is to be aware of it, and he seems very aware.

__________________________________________________
"He who gets the best players usually wins" - Bobby Bowden

by Russ on Jul 1, 2011 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions

as someone who has suffered from both

i feel his pain. i’d much rather have Taylor Buchholz getting help for his ailment than have him unhappy in a high pressure job as that could be a potentially volatile mixture.

What Would Matt Szczur Do?
Fact on Villanova Sports

by Hoyadestroya85 on Jul 1, 2011 5:43 PM EDT reply actions

Good point

Just like you wouldn’t want a pitcher with a physical injury continuing to pitch and risking further damage the same goes for mental illness. It’s also worth noting that unlike say a torn ligament depression and anxiety are life threatening conditions that need to be treated. I hope he responds well to treatment and medication. He’s a talented pitcher but has had some bad turns of luck, previously with injuries and now with this. I’d love for him to be able to come back and put together a nice career- either here or elsewhere.

by MatthewM11 on Jul 1, 2011 9:35 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

That's a tough situation

Hope he gets better soon. Is the shoulder still an issue as well, or no one knows?

by David G on Jul 1, 2011 5:46 PM EDT reply actions

Depression/anxiety are such tricky conditions

Sometimes they are the result of something like undiagnosed ADHD. Sometimes they are the result of trauma, and can be treated solely through therapy. Sometimes they are simply the result of a person’s brain chemistry—and may or may not be treatable medically.

Establishing causal ordering with depression and anxiety is one of the most difficult things to do in medicine.

"Those who fear disorder more than injustice inevitably produce more of both." -- Rev. William Coffin

by dcrockett17 on Jul 1, 2011 6:37 PM EDT reply actions

I hope he straightens everything out.

It must hurt to make it to the bigs only to have your career put on hold in order to deal with depression and anxiety. But as someone else here said, health is the most important thing.

by Juve1899 on Jul 1, 2011 6:54 PM EDT reply actions

Can't wait for the "can't pitch in NY" bullshit.

Hurry back, Buch.

"If this doesn't light your fire, men, the pilot light is out."

by Lonborg and champagne, Ollie and vodka on Jul 1, 2011 7:10 PM EDT reply actions

life is more important, hope you recover Taylor

"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"

by feslenraster on Jul 1, 2011 7:48 PM EDT reply actions

This is something that

I’m sure everyone can relate to in one way or another. I can certainly empathize with issues of mental health and substance abuse and I always hate the snarky articles and comments about athletes not being “tough enough” or whatever when it’s something like this versus a physical injury. These issues are more serious and can be harder to treat than most physical injuries and can be life threatening. Doctors know exactly what to do to fix a torn ligament. Depression and anxiety is a lot harder to treat and not everyone responds to treatment in the same way. I really wish Taylor all the best and hopes he responds to treatment quickly.

by MatthewM11 on Jul 1, 2011 9:45 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Btw

I mentioned substance abuse because like mental illness and unlike physical issues writers and fans can be hard on players experiencing this problem. I re-read my post above and realized it may seem like I was implying that substance abuse had something to do with Bucholz’s problems. This was not my intent and was just an error of syntax and clarity on my part.

by MatthewM11 on Jul 1, 2011 9:51 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions