Osuna Has Incentive for a Quick Recovery

The Dodgers declined to exercise their $1.5-million option on pitcher Antonio Osuna’s contract because the right-hander underwent surgery on his throwing elbow last season.

But they didn’t cast him aside.

The ballclub restructured Osuna’s deal, guaranteeing him $250,000 this season with a $40,000 signing bonus and $210,000 in base salary. And Osuna can earn as much as $1.39 million in performance incentives for appearances, innings pitched and games finished.

Moreover, Osuna will make $1,373.63 each day he’s on the 25-man roster, or the disabled list for injuries unrelated to his throwing arm. That could give him another $250,000.

Osuna is expected to be sidelined until the All-Star break, so he probably won’t earn most of those incentives. But he appreciates what the Dodgers did for him.

“They gave me an opportunity to stay with the team, and that means a lot to me,” said Osuna, who sat out most of last season because of a partially torn ligament in his right elbow.

“I want to pitch and help the team this season. I know we have a lot of good relievers on the team, but I’m going to work hard to get back. I want to show the team that I can still pitch. I’m going to be back faster than anybody thinks.”

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Dodger Chairman Bob Daly and agent Scott Boras were expected to speak again Friday about settling the Adrian Beltre matter with a multiyear contract.

Manager Davey Johnson was focused on Beltre too--but for baseball reasons.

“He’s going to be better,” Johnson said. “As the year went on last year, [pitchers] were more careful with him. They tried different ways to get him out and he made adjustments.

“He has that experience under his belt now. If he does the things he can do, he could be right in the middle of [the lineup].”

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Johnson is pleased with Mark Grudzielanek’s progress after moving from shortstop to second base.

“He looks so good, he’s up to Second Base 302,” Johnson joked. “He was on Second Base 101. You go up to 302 in your junior year.”

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Right-hander Robinson Checo has experienced visa problems in the Dominican Republic, team officials said.

He is expected to report to Dodgertown early next week.