BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : Osuna Is Impressive in Setup Role

Antonio Osuna is Todd Worrell’s setup man. There is little glamour to the position. There is no fame. Yet, when you pitch as effectively as Osuna this season, with a streak of 9 2/3 shutout innings, the rest of the league takes notice.

“I’m much more relaxed this year, and I’m smarter too,” said Osuna, who earned his first save Saturday. “I don’t just throw anymore. I think about what I want to do, what I want to throw. I’m working hard too, because you know what?

“I don’t want to go to Albuquerque no more.”

Osuna has yielded only 17 hits in 24 2/3 innings, striking out 26.

“You can see he’s a lot more comfortable now,” pitching coach Dave Wallace said. “You can see it in his whole approach. The big difference too, is that he’s using his breaking ball more than ever.

“He’s become a big, big part of that bullpen.”

Said Dodger reliever Mark Guthrie: “Let’s just say he could close for any team in the major leagues right now, including this one.”

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The Dodgers put catcher Carlos Hernandez on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained back and purchased the contract of Tom Prince from Albuquerque. . . . Shortstop Greg Gagne’s left ankle still was painful and stiff Saturday, and he is not expected to return to the lineup until early next week. . . . Right-hander Ismael Valdes went home before the game because of flu, but the Dodgers say he should be fine by the time he starts Tuesday.