Osuna a pain for opposing hitters

TORONTO • It had the potential to be one of the biggest pains in the neck for the Toronto Blue Jays early in a season loaded with them.

But ever since closer Roberto Osuna started feeling healthy again, there has been nothing but relief with the team’s most important reliever.

Heading into Friday’s opener of a three-game series with the Chicago White Sox, Osuna had locked down 16 consecutive save opportunities, matching his career best from between June and August 2015.

After starting the season 1-for-4 in save opportunities, the 22-year-old native of Mexico has been money, posting a 1.35 ERA in his past 22 outings. Over that time, Osuna has struck out 28 batters while walking just two.

The slow start came from the neck issues that bothered him both in spring training and persisted at the World Baseball Classic. But once Osuna put those issues behind him, he became the reliable shutdown force he had shown over the past couple seasons.

“He came back and needed to work himself into shape,” Jays manager John Gibbons said. “Once he did that and got some innings under his belt, he’s been the old guy. He’s been really good lately.

“There were concerns in spring training and because of that his velocity was down. We didn’t think that was a big deal but that’s all behind him now. He’s pitching great.”

Helped by his 17 saves so far this season, Osuna has 73 in his career, the most for a 22-year-old in major league baseball history. Since his streak began on April 29, Osuna ranks first among American League relievers in saves and second in ERA,

“He’s still a young kid,” Gibbons said. “I think sometimes we forget just how young he is for what he’s accomplished the last couple of years. He knows what the grind of the major league season is. He’s been a bigleague closer and with the workload he has to take on, he knows what that’s all about now.”