Roberto Osuna has of late been wearing a fan-designed T-shirt every day during his pre-game workouts. The shirt reads: “Osuna Matata: It means no worries for the rest of the game.”

The 20-year-old Blue Jays’ rookie, who was born a year after The Lion King movie hit theatres, admits he didn’t understand the reference at first — “(Steve) Delabar explained it to me” — but through the early part of this season its message has rung true. Though the Jays’ bullpen has struggled overall, Osuna, who prior to this season had never pitched above Class A, has been the team’s most reliable reliever, allowing just a pair of runs over his 21 innings. The Mexican right-hander’s stingy 0.86 ERA ranks fourth among American League relievers with at least 15 innings pitched this season.

Osuna put up another zero on Monday afternoon, allowing an inherited runner to score in the sixth, but shutting the door in the seventh to earn his first career win. “I think I’ve got good luck, man,” he told The Star recently regarding his early-season success. “I hope to keep doing what I’m doing.”

Osuna freely admits to being surprised by how well he has pitched. “Of course. When I made the team I thought I’d be a low reliever, probably wouldn’t throw too much,” he said. “But now I got, like, 20 innings. I’m throwing in the seventh and eighth innings — it’s great.”

A starter throughout his minor-league career, Osuna said he has enjoyed his transition to the bullpen, which suits his eager personality. “I really like it. I like being ready every day.”

Despite a similar lack of experience, Osuna has yet to encounter any of the hiccups of his compadre, Miguel Castro, who was demoted to Triple-A Buffalo earlier this month after his early-season struggles started to snowball.

The pair were attached at the hip throughout spring training and during the first month of the season, but Osuna said he has not spoken to Castro at all since he was sent down. “I hope he’s doing well, but I haven’t talked to him.” That’s not uncommon in the singularly focused big leagues, where those who are injured, traded or demoted are quickly forgotten, their lockers cleaned out before anyone even notices they’re gone.

“We are friends, but we’re different,” Osuna says. “Everyone’s trying to make it through, so I’m here and I’m trying to do my best. I’m focused on the big leagues right now and trying to help the team win. That’s it. Anything else I don’t pay too much attention.”

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