Osuna’s Hard Work Paying Off

Though he’s coming back from surgery on his right elbow that had him contemplating retirement, Antonio Osuna is not surprised at his success thus far.

The hard-throwing right-handed reliever pitched two scoreless innings Tuesday in the Dodgers’ 3-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, striking out three and lowering his earned-run average to 2.79. In six appearances since being reinstated to the active roster May 5, Osuna has struck out 10 in 9 2/3 innings and has given up nine hits and five walks.

“I worked hard to come back soon,” said Osuna, who had surgery to repair a partially torn ligament Sept. 16. “I’m working extra hard to keep it up. I feel good and I’m just getting stronger. The more I throw, the stronger I feel.”

Dodger Manager Davey Johnson said Osuna’s performance Tuesday night was his best of the season.

“He’s throwing the ball better every time out and that’s encouraging,” Johnson said. “I’m going to take care of him, not throw him back to back, and watch the number of pitches he throws.”

Osuna will get a break of sorts soon--he was one of 19 Dodgers hit with suspensions Wednesday for their roles in the Wrigley Field melee last week. Osuna got a three-game suspension.

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Reliever Mike Fetters, on the disabled list because of a sore right elbow since May 10, is expected to be activated today, Johnson said.

Fetters had a 40-pitch bullpen workout Tuesday and said he was ready.

“I threw . . . at maximum effort and it turned out great,” he said. “This [arthritis] is something I’ll probably have to deal with the rest of my career. But as long as I keep the swelling out, I should be OK.”

Fetters, 35, had a 30-pitch bullpen workout Friday and a 50-pitch workout Sunday.

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Jaime Jarrin, the Dodgers’ longtime Spanish-language radio announcer for KWKW (1330), signed a five-year contract extension with a club option for a sixth season.

Jarrin, who is in his 42nd year calling games for the Dodgers, is in the Hall of Fame as a recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award.