Examining Anxiety Disorders in Baseball

Khalil Greene and Joey Votto were placed on the disabled list last Friday for social anxiety disorder and “stress-related issues,” respectively, joining Zack Greinke and Dontrelle Willis as prominent major leaguers to be sidelined by mental issues.

It is rare for a professional athlete to take time off for mental issues, but it has happened three times in just the first two months of the major league season. Detroit Tigers pitcher Dontrelle Willis missed the opening six weeks of the season due to an anxiety disorder, and both St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Khalil Greene and Cincinnati Reds outfielder Joey Votto were placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday for mental health issues.